G20 Under South Africa: A Focus on Ambitious Plans for Global Progress
South Africa holds the G20 presidency, becoming the first African country to chair the group, with President Cyril Ramaphosa outlining an agenda that prioritizes climate change, debt relief and economic transformation. Ramaphosa’s focus includes harnessing critical mineral resources across Africa, such as cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to drive growth and development on the continent. Beyond that, Africa’s largest economy will also seek to balance competing global interests while mitigating the divisive impact of geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Analysts believe Ramaphosa’s commitment to consensus-building, demonstrated during the drafting of South Africa’s 1996 constitution and the country’s hosting of the 2023 BRICS summit, will be necessary to successfully lead the G20. However, they also believe that his diplomatic wisdom will be tested against the backdrop of growing tensions between China and the United States, rising protectionism and a push for fair policies in Africa.
source: data warehouse
