The World Cannot Ignore Africa
In a historic moment for the continent, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a powerful opening address at the first G20 Leaders’ Summit ever held on African soil, held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on 22 November 2025. Drawing on South Africa’s journey from apartheid to democracy, Ramaphosa called for global solidarity to tackle pressing challenges like inequality, climate change, and economic divides. His speech, which echoed the words of Nelson Mandela, positioned Africa as a key player in world affairs, urging leaders to build a more inclusive future. As heads of state from major economies gathered amid tight security and some protests, the event highlighted South Africa’s role in pushing for reforms that benefit the Global South.
The two-day summit, themed “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” comes at a time of global tensions, including the US boycott over alleged discriminatory policies—a claim South Africa has strongly rejected. Despite this, the gathering has drawn widespread attention, with leaders like India’s Narendra Modi, China’s Premier Li Qiang, and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in attendance. Ramaphosa’s words set an optimistic tone, focusing on multilateralism and shared progress, even as geopolitical divides threaten consensus on key issues.
Honouring Africa’s Role: A Summit at the Cradle of Humankind
Ramaphosa opened by welcoming delegates to the Cradle of Humankind, a site symbolising shared human origins. “We gather here at the Cradle of Humankind to affirm our common humanity. We gather here to affirm the value of partnership and cooperation, to finding common solutions to shared problems,” he said. He recalled Mandela’s 1994 call for South Africa to reclaim its place among nations, linking it to the country’s G20 presidency responsibilities.
As host, South Africa has steered over 130 meetings worldwide, preserving the G20’s stature as a forum for economic cooperation. Ramaphosa noted the group’s evolution from macroeconomic focus to broader issues like trade, health, education, and climate change. “As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth,” he explained.
The theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” guided the year, aiming to create an inclusive future. Ramaphosa emphasised breaking down barriers of wealth, gender, race, and geography, warning that disparities hinder sustainable growth.
Championing the Global South: Africa’s Agenda Takes Centre Stage
A core message was elevating the priorities of Africa and the Global South. “As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20,” Ramaphosa stated. He argued this is crucial for global stability, reducing conflict risks, and managing resource pressures.
He outlined threats like geopolitical tensions, global warming, pandemics, and inequality, stressing faster progress on UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Welcoming the Sevilla Commitment for development financing, he called for reforms in international financial systems to make them more inclusive and equipped for future challenges.
South Africa’s four priorities included strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising finance for just energy transitions, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. Additional focuses covered employment, food security, and artificial intelligence.
Key Reports and Reforms: Building a Fairer World
Ramaphosa commended the G20@20 Review for assessing achievements and proposing focus on core mandates. He thanked the G20 Africa Expert Panel, led by former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, for advocating new partnerships to unlock low-cost finance. “The panel argues that African efforts to accelerate productive investment require new global partnerships and strong multilateral cooperation. It calls on the G20 to support this effort by building a global policy framework that unlocks long-term finance at lower cost and investment at scale,” he said.
He also praised the Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality, chaired by Professor Joseph Stiglitz, for providing a platform to combat inequality. As the first African-hosted summit, Ramaphosa urged it to reflect the continent’s aspirations without diminishing the G20’s integrity. “This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened,” he warned.
He thanked delegations for working in good faith on an outcome document, sending a signal of hope through multilateralism. “The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver. It sends a message of hope and solidarity. It tells the world that as the leaders of the G20, we will keep fast to our solemn pledge to leave no person, no community and no country behind,” Ramaphosa concluded.
Reactions and Context: A Milestone Amid Global Tensions
The speech has drawn praise for its emphasis on unity and Africa’s potential. Observers noted Ramaphosa’s statesmanlike tone, drawing parallels to Mandela’s era. Indian Prime Minister Modi, in his address, echoed calls for inclusive growth, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged faster climate finance. Brazilian President Lula da Silva highlighted debt reforms, aligning with South Africa’s push.
Despite the US absence, the summit proceeds with key attendees, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The African Union, a full member since 2023, is represented by its chairperson, adding weight to continental issues.
Protests outside the venue raised local concerns like unemployment and femicide, but security remains tight with no breaches reported. The event has boosted Johannesburg’s economy through tourism and infrastructure upgrades, injecting millions into local businesses.
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