South Africa will take over the presidency of the G20 on Sunday, marking the first time an African country has led the group. However, its agenda—focused on inclusive growth, climate change, and other critical issues—could face significant hurdles amid global trade tensions and rising diplomatic divides.
This development follows the African Union’s recent entry as a permanent G20 member, providing South Africa a unique opportunity to drive forward policies that address key development challenges across the continent.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted priorities such as inclusive economic growth, food security, climate change, and artificial intelligence, with more detailed plans expected next week. South Africa is the fourth emerging market in a row to take on the G20 presidency, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil, and Ramaphosa has committed to continuing the work of these predecessors.
The United States is set to assume the G20 presidency in December 2025 under Donald Trump, who has threatened trade tariffs on nations like Canada, Mexico, and China, stoking concerns of trade wars. Trump’s skepticism regarding climate change science and his plans to dismantle Biden-era climate policies further complicate the situation for South Africa as it attempts to balance the interests of the Global South.
“It will be crucial for South Africa to maintain the positions of the Global South and leave a strong legacy on issues like climate change and trade to prevent the U.S. and Global North from undermining the agenda,” said David Monyae, Director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg.
The G20, which includes 19 countries and the European and African Unions, represents 85% of the global economy and 67% of the world’s population. However, global tensions, particularly between the U.S., China, and Russia over trade and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, threaten to derail the group’s objectives.
Amid growing protectionist policies, the International Monetary Fund has warned of potential risks to global growth, especially for emerging markets. Laura Rubidge, a researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, suggested that South Africa’s leadership could push for reforms, particularly in areas such as sovereign debt management, the IMF’s Common Framework, and the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism, to help achieve Ramaphosa’s vision of inclusive growth.
