As South Africa took the lead of the G20 in 2025, the SAIIA, AUDA-NEPAD, and UNDP gathered African specialists and collaborators in Addis Ababa to contemplate the continent’s pivotal position in international policy formulation.
South Africa’s leadership of the G20 offers a crucial chance for Africa to influence international objectives and advocate for a developmental strategy aligned with the goals of the Global South. As the African Union has become a permanent member of the G20, this marks a fresh era of participation where the continent can assert itself more forcefully and actively work towards shaping decisions that matter to them.
The key focuses shaped the G20 Dialogue Session involving the African Diplomatic Corps, which was organized on March 27, 2025, in Addis Ababa. This event was hosted jointly by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Structured around the theme 'Amplifying Africa’s Voice Within the G20,' the meeting convened African ambassadors, officials from the African Union Commission (AUC), members of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and collaborators. The purpose was to discuss strategies for enhancing Africa's engagement with G20 procedures, guaranteeing its priorities are promoted throughout South Africa’s leadership in 2025 and subsequently.
The speakers discussed the policy path set forth under South Africa’s leadership, emphasizing goals shared among nations of the Global South and consistent with those championed by Indonesia, India, and Brazil. In her address, H.E. Ambassador Nonceba Losi highlighted major aims including overhauls to the global financial architecture, securing sustainable funding mechanisms, and establishing governance structures responsive to the needs of lower- and middle-income economies. She emphasized that “Africa must craft what gets placed before the world” at this crucial juncture.
The UNDP provided progress reports on their assistance to African organizations participating in the G20 Sherpa and Finance Tracks. This includes participation in task forces focused on areas such as sustainable financing, enhancing climate resilience, digital advancements, and promoting gender equality. Additionally, specialists were assigned to work with the South African Reserve Bank and National Treasury to assist in guiding collaboration efforts.
Dr Matthias Naab, Director of the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA), urged a strategic shift in mindset, stating that Africa's engagement must be "intentional and strategic", not passive. "We are not here to ask for space. We are here to co-design the future."
Dr. Patrick Olomo from the AUC recognized the advancements achieved by the AU in outlining Africa’s priorities; however, he emphasized the importance of enhancing coordination between member states and organizations. Ambassador H.E. Youssouf Mandoha Assoumani, who serves as the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Addis Ababa, stressed the vital function of diplomats in conveying Africa's message on international platforms.
Discussions throughout the session called for institutional mechanisms to ensure continuity and policy memory. Proposals included establishing a G20 Africa Secretariat and operationalising the AU Troika. As Ms Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive of SAIIA, put it, "The G20 is not a once-off event, but a process where successive presidencies build on previous initiatives. This requires investment in African capacity and systems to drive the African agenda in the longer term."
Several speakers emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration among African Union bodies, member states, and embassies. They also stressed the need to take prompt action, present a unified stance, and guarantee that Africa’s involvement is both strategic and thoroughly considered.
Reflecting on the stakes, Mr Goodwill Kachingwe of SAIIA noted: "We have no time to lose if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063."
When South Africa takes charge of the G20 in 2025, it presents the continent with a chance to influence worldwide results in line with its own long-term growth goals.
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