Africa Celebrates Milestone As Ramaphosa Becomes First African G20 President

Ramaphosa stated, “We will seize this opportunity to elevate the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South within the G20 agenda.”

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa has made history by taking over the presidency of the G20, becoming the first African country to lead this group of the world’s largest economies.

The official handover took place on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, formally passed the leadership to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pledged to prioritize Africa’s development needs and the interests of the Global South throughout his presidency.

Ramaphosa stated, “We will seize this opportunity to elevate the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South within the G20 agenda.” He outlined three main goals for South Africa’s presidency: promoting inclusive economic growth, addressing food security, and utilizing artificial intelligence and innovation to support sustainable development.

The South African president emphasized his commitment to global economic growth while ensuring that no one is left behind. “We will work to ensure that no one is left behind,” Ramaphosa said.

Currently, South Africa is the only African country in the G20, a group that includes the world’s largest economies. In 2023, the African Union was granted membership, signaling growing global recognition of Africa’s role in shaping international policy.

The G20 consists of 19 countries and the European Union, with Spain holding a permanent guest status. It includes major economies like the United States, China, Germany, and India. As the first African leader of the G20, South Africa plans to focus on issues such as industrialization, job creation, and reducing inequality, while also addressing important global challenges.

“As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development,” Ramaphosa remarked, reaffirming his goal to foster a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.

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