Leaders from the world’s largest economies will convene in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23 for the G20 summit, marking the first time the gathering is hosted in Africa. The event comes at a time of global economic instability and heightened tensions between South Africa and the United States.
Key Highlights of the Summit
First African G20 Presidency: Founded in 1999, the Group of 20 comprises 19 countries alongside the European Union and the African Union. South Africa, the continent’s only individual member, assumes the rotating presidency this year. G20 members collectively represent 85% of global GDP and roughly two-thirds of the world’s population.
Theme and Priorities: South Africa’s G20 agenda focuses on “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” emphasizing disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing a just energy transition, and leveraging critical minerals for inclusive growth. An expert panel led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz has proposed an intergovernmental body to address global wealth inequality, which leaves 2.3 billion people hungry.
Diplomatic Challenges: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a boycott, calling South Africa’s presidency a “total disgrace” and continuing trade actions that include 30% tariffs on the country’s exports. Argentine President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, will also skip the summit, sending his foreign minister instead. Russian President Vladimir Putin will likewise be absent. South Africa maintains that these absences will not derail the summit.
Johannesburg in the Spotlight: The Nasrec Expo Centre, located near Soweto and adjacent to the stadium that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, will host the event. The venue symbolizes post-apartheid integration, but Johannesburg faces ongoing infrastructure challenges. In response, the African Development Bank recently approved $139 million for city upgrades ahead of the summit.
End of a ‘Global South’ Cycle: After South Africa, the G20 presidency will pass to the United States, ending a sequence of “Global South” leadership that included Brazil, India, and Indonesia. President Trump has questioned the platform’s expansion into social issues and raised doubts about South Africa’s membership in the G20, signaling possible changes to the forum’s future scope.