Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Economy

Africa aims for greater policy influence at G20

30 Apr 2025 - by Staff reporter
South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile. Source: The Presidency
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) has been a significant milestone for African representation in global economic decision-making.

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who underscored Africa’s strategic vision to reshape global economic frameworks and assert the continent’s interests on the world stage.

Delivering a keynote address at the T20 Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue in Pretoria, he emphasised both the continent’s potential and its challenges.

“This gathering emphasises the need for Africa to address the persistent challenges of economic development, political instability, and governance weaknesses.

“It calls for a critical evaluation of current interventions aimed at strengthening Africa’s priorities, including economic growth, sustainable development, and global governance reforms. Africa is ours, and we must create the Africa we want.”

The T20, or Think 20, produces, discusses, consolidates and presents ideas on how to face current and emerging challenges that may be addressed by the G20.

Key themes included leveraging the continent’s young population, promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and addressing systemic challenges such as unemployment, especially youth joblessness, infrastructure gaps, and economic marginalisation.

The country’s second-in-command stressed the importance of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies as critical tools for African development.

Mashatile said South Africa’s G20 presidency’s theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability’ aimed to reimagine multilateralism and prioritise the needs of the Global South.

Critical priorities include mobilising finance for a Just Energy Transition, ensuring debt sustainability for developing economies, and creating strategic approaches to critical mineral development that prioritise local value addition.

Mashatile said the dialogue represented a crucial step in positioning Africa as an active participant in global economic discussions rather than as a passive recipient of international policies.

He said Africa currently stood at a crucial juncture in its development journey, with a growing population and vast natural resources, yet it remained underdeveloped.

Mashatile said Africa’s youthful population offered a range of possibilities for the development of the continent.

He also touched on the challenges facing multilateralism, which have been apparent for an extended period.

“We should take a dim view and strongly discourage the erosion of multilateralism, as it poses a potential threat to global growth and stability. A fair, transparent, equitable, and inclusive international order is essential for economic stability and sustained growth.”

He warned that the ongoing trade tensions might result in a rising cost of living due to increased prices, particularly for manufactured goods, potentially exacerbating the sluggish economic growth across our continent. “It is necessary that we respond collectively and decisively as Africans, while increasing capacity and capability to reduce dependency.”

According to the Deputy President, a fair, inclusive global order was possible, but it required leadership grounded in equity, responsibility, and cooperation.

“The G20 should form part of this as we seek to unite as country states and develop policies that are progressive for the interest of all. We intend to work with like-minded countries and progressive institutions to establish a more equitable, representative, and just international order.”

While the G20 is not a substitute for existing international institutions, he said it must complement and accelerate progress on already agreed global commitments.

“Let us remember that the strength of the G20 lies in its diversity and inclusivity. Strengthening African agency within this framework not only empowers African States but also increases the credibility and efficacy of global governance.

“South Africa’s G20 Presidency will remain accountable to the continent and to its people.” – SAnews.gov.za

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Shippers warned to monitor cargo closely during Untu strike

Logistics

Logistics company advises shippers to communicate concerns about urgent or time-sensitive cargo.

Yesterday
0 Comments

GNU targets livestock auctions after China bans SA beef

Imports and Exports
Yesterday
0 Comments

New tariff protection for South African wheat hits a snag

Imports and Exports

Itac request for comment for stronger tariff protection for locally produced wheat only protects brown flour.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Creecy outlines logistics sector reforms

Logistics

The government is continuing to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers to ensure that spare parts for essential machinery can be sourced.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Suez Canal offers toll reductions for large containerships

Logistics

“We are monitoring developments moment by moment and assessing the changing dynamics.” – Maersk.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Oil spill response in Red Sea under the spotlight

Sea Freight

Workshop focuses on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents.

Yesterday
0 Comments

President Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US

Economy

The engagement will focus on a range of bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Belgium port strike on the cards

Imports and Exports

Port operator PSA Antwerp will suspend truck export deliveries ahead of the strike.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Soy, maize imports surge due to regional drought

Imports and Exports

Dry conditions across the subcontinent forced South Africa to import white maize for the first time since the 2016-17 drought.

Yesterday
0 Comments

Famers need beyond-banking assistance – futures specialist

Imports and Exports

Agricultural assistance also extends to analysing the South African Futures Exchange.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

SA a top target for cyber attacks

Technology

Increasing dependence on technology to deliver services means security risks are rising.

15 May 2025
0 Comments

Carbon capture solution cuts emissions by up to 70%

Sea Freight

The high technology system captures emissions from all exhaust gas sources.

15 May 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

The Cape 16 May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Cape Town
15 May

Import Manager (NVOCC)

Switch Recruit
Eastrand
15 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us