In a historic moment for the African continent, Johannesburg prepares to welcome leaders of the world's largest economies for the first-ever G20 summit on African soil. The event, scheduled for November 22 and 23, 2025, comes at a time of heightened global instability and strained relations between South Africa and the United States.
Historic African Presidency
South Africa assumes the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), marking a significant milestone since the forum's establishment in 1999. The G20 comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies—the European Union and the African Union, which gained membership in 2023. Despite South Africa being the only individual African member state, this presidency represents a continental achievement.
The gathering brings together nations representing 85 percent of global GDP and approximately two-thirds of the world's population, making it one of the most influential economic forums worldwide.
South Africa's Ambitious Agenda
Under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," South Africa has outlined clear priorities for its presidency. These include strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income nations, financing a "just energy transition," and leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Given South Africa's designation by the World Bank as "the world's most unequal country," the presidency commissioned an expert team led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz to address global wealth inequality. Their recommendations call for establishing an intergovernmental panel to tackle what they term an "inequality emergency" affecting 2.3 billion hungry people worldwide.
Diplomatic Challenges and Boycotts
The summit faces significant diplomatic headwinds, particularly from the United States. President Donald Trump announced this month that no US officials would attend the meeting, describing South Africa's presidency as a "total disgrace."
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has targeted South Africa with harsh measures, including 30 percent tariffs—the highest in sub-Saharan Africa—and propagating false claims about "white genocide."
While the US boycott could undermine South Africa's agenda, Pretoria has responded defiantly, calling Washington's absence its "loss" and expressing confidence in the summit's success. Other notable absences include Argentine President Javier Milei, who is sending his foreign minister instead, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, continuing his pattern of non-attendance at previous meetings.
Johannesburg's Moment in the Spotlight
The Nasrec Expo Centre, South Africa's largest purpose-built conference venue, will host the G20 leaders. Located adjacent to Soweto township, the venue symbolizes post-apartheid "spatial integration" and regularly hosts major events, including the ruling African National Congress's annual convention.
The choice of location brings attention to Johannesburg, a city born from the 1880s gold rush that now houses approximately six million people. Despite containing Africa's richest square mile, the city struggles with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate services, and chronic mismanagement.
President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly criticized the city's disrepair in March, demanding improvements. In response, the African Development Bank approved a $139 million loan for infrastructure upgrades in July, aiming to revitalize the metropolitan area.
Global South Leadership Cycle Ends
South Africa will hand the G20 presidency to the United States, concluding a sequence of "Global South" leadership that included Brazil, India, and Indonesia. This transition raises questions about the forum's future direction, particularly given Trump's stated intention to radically reduce the platform's scope.
The US president has questioned whether South Africa should "even be in the Gs any more," signaling potential changes to the G20's composition and focus. Over the years, the forum has expanded beyond its original financial mandate to include multiple working groups and social issues, a development Trump appears poised to reverse.
As African leaders prepare for this landmark event, the continent watches with anticipation, recognizing that the outcomes could significantly influence Africa's position in global economic governance for years to come.
