On 9 September 2023, I was having lunch with Professor Tim Murithi at Port Louis International Airport in Mauritius. We were returning from the inauguration meeting of the Brain Trust of African Union’s ECOSOCC, which both of us, along with other pan-African experts, have recently joined….then the news came out from the G20 Meeting happening in India: African Union, the premier continental organization consisting of all the 55 nations that make up Africa, has been admitted as a full member of the G20.

It is a great news, we both said… of course, we were expecting it to happen… My organization, the ONE Campaign, and other partners have been pushing for that over the last few years. Africa’s full membership will surely increase the continent’s visibility and influence on the global stage and provide a platform to advance the common interest of its people and the world.

African Union is now the second intergovernmental body, besides the European Union, to be a full permanent member of the G20 and the first body to join the group since it was formed in 1999. I am not sure if the body will be renamed G21, but the question I am trying to propose some answers to in this article is how the African Union would handle its participation in the Group of the major global economies and play a vital role in advancing the continent’s journey to inclusive and sustainable development to make it the Africa we want.

Later, in February 2024, the African Union Assembly finalized the modalities for the AU’s participation within the Group.
As South Africa gears up to take the reins of the G20, African countries must seize this opportunity to drive forward the continental development agenda and advocate for a more just and equitable world. South Africa should leverage its position within the G20 to advocate for fairer global governance and combat economic inequality.

About the G20

The G20 defines itself as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. G20 members account for about 85% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 75% of the global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. It has 19 countries and one international organization as follows: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Germany, Korea (Republic), Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA and the European Union.

India held the G20 presidency from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. Brazil currently holds the Presidency for 2024, and South Africa will have the Presidency for 2025.

Interestingly, three of the 20 largest economies in the world, including Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, are not permanent members of the G20.

So far, the only African country in the G20 is South Africa.

The main objectives of the G20 are to shape and strengthen the global architecture and governance on major international economic issues, including trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, tourism, and combating corruption, among others.

According to the Indian presidency, the specific objectives of the G20 are to:

• Promote policy coordination among its members and beyond to advance global economic stability and sustainable growth.

• Promote regulations that reduce risks and prevent future financial crises; and,

• Create a new international financial architecture.

It has been observed that every Presidency of the G20 identifies its priorities, beyond the specific objectives of the body.

To learn more about how the G20 works, click here.

Africa at the Table, as part of the Solution to Global Issues

First, let us agree that the African Union is not joining the G20 to ask for more aid. The continent aims to contribute to resolving global issues on the table and to do business within a meaningful and mutually beneficial partnership. For this, Africa is bringing vital assets to the ingredients on the table.

Demography: Africa represents 1.4 billion people which is about 17% of the global population, most of which are young, intelligent, dynamic, and willing to take part in the development process. This population will rise to 25% by 2050. The continent has a vibrant workforce and is experiencing a surge in innovation and entrepreneurship, with startups and initiatives emerging in sectors ranging from technology to agriculture. By supporting and collaborating with African innovators, the global community can benefit from their transformative solutions.

Africa needs, however, to harness its demographic dividend by strategically investing in this youthful population in terms of health, education, skill development, and job creation.

Wealth and Natural Resources: Africa is one of the world’s richest geographical regions in terms of endowment with natural resources, with 60% of the world’s renewable energy assets and more than 30% of the minerals key to renewable and low-carbon technologies. Africa has the largest unused arable land, a heavy green energy potential, and other strategic critical materials. From its vast mineral deposits to fertile agricultural lands, the continent has much to offer. With proper management and sustainable practices, Africa’s resources can help address global challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and renewable energy.

Market Potential and Trade Area: The establishment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest market of 55 nations and 1.4 billion people with the prospect of a continental customs and economic union, is obviously a great asset for the world economy and prosperity.

How could the African Union be prepared to contribute effectively to the G20?

Our continental body should address important issues as it prepares to join the G20. These include its representation in the group’s statutory meetings and various working groups, setting continental common policy positions or consensus on the G20’s agenda, and matters to be discussed.  

African Union Representation in the G20

In February 2023, during its Heads of State annual Summit, the African Union decided that the current Chairperson, assisted by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, would represent the African Union in the G20 (Assembly/AU/Dec.845 – XXXVI).

However, being a full permanent member of the G20 goes beyond participating in the group’s statutory meetings. There is a need to explore options for how the African Union can be prepared at technical and political levels and constantly follow and participate in the various workstreams of the G20 for meaningful engagements.  

How would the annual President of the Union coordinate with the team of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in preparing and participating in the various thematic working groups of the G20 as a permanent member?

The African Union is not a supra-national body.

Unlike certain supranational aspects of the European Union, the African Union is still a purely intergovernmental body with no supranational authority. Member states maintain their sovereignty and decision-making power, and the AU acts as a forum for coordination, cooperation, and consultation among its member states.

Legally speaking, the AU does not have the ability to make binding decisions or enact laws that supersede national legislation without the consent of its member states. That is why the African Union’s membership and participation in the G20 may not be as simple as it looks compared to the European Union. More reflection is then needed on how best the continental body could contribute to this global platform.

Modalities for the Participation of the African Union in the G20 and Preliminary Priorities as decided by the Assembly of the AU in February 2024

At the G20, AU aims to leverage Africa’s position in the world economy as well as contribute to meeting the emerging global challenges

Participation in the Leaders’ Summit:

• The Chairperson of the African Union, assisted by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, will represent the African Union (previously decided)
• The Chairperson of the Commission to propose positions to the Assembly to be advanced as African Common positions in the G20 Leaders’ Summits.
• The Chairperson of the African Union, assisted by the Chairperson of the Commission to debrief the Assembly on the outcomes of the G20 Leaders’ Summits at the February sessions of the Assembly each year.

Participation in Ministerial meetings

• The Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council, assisted by the Chairperson of the Commission to represent the African Union in the G20 Meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
• The Chairpersons of the AU Specialized Technical Committees, assisted by the respective Commissioners, to lead African Delegations to G20 sectoral Ministerial Meetings
• The Chairperson of the Specialized Technical Committees (STC) on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning, and Integration, assisted by the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals to attend the meetings of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, assisted by the respective Commissioner(s);
• The Ministerial Representatives to the G20 to propose draft African common positions through the Specialized Technical Committees for consideration by the Executive Council before it is advanced in the G20 Ministerial meetings and Leaders’ Summits

Sherpa and Sous Sherpa

• The Chairperson of the African Union to appoint a Sherpa. As the AU G20 contact point, the Sherpa shall coordinate with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the AU Member States on the positions to be advanced in the various G20 Ministerial, Task Forces and Working Group meetings to ensure that the African Union prepares common positions ahead of each G20 meeting and speaks with one voice in the G20 meetings;
• The Chairperson of the Commission to appoint a Sous-Sherpa to: (a)Act as liaison between the Commission and the Chairperson of the Union; (b)Work with and Deputize the Sherpa; (c)Report to the Chairperson of the Union on G20 matters.

South Africa, the only current African permanent member of the G20 and the upcoming Chair for 2025 will share lessons of experience in the G20 with the African Union.

Africa’s preliminary priorities at the G20 will be the reform of the international financial architecture, debt restructuring, food security and agriculture, energy transition, trade and investments, and improving Africa’s credit rating to boost investment, health, and vaccine manufacturing.

Financing AU participation in the G20

African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) pledged to provide initial financing for the participation of the African Union in the G20.

The Role of South Africa and Special Invitees

As a permanent member of the G20 since 1999, South Africa could support the AU in better understanding the G20 process and dynamics in the early years of the Union’s participation as a permanent member. Other AU members and institutions, such as Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, and the AUDA-NEPAD, have also been regularly invited. The continental body should take advantage of their experience and knowledge as well.   

A Paramount Priority for the Continent: The Reform of the International Financial Architecture

The priority matter that the African Union can consider taking to the G20 table as soon as possible is the much-needed reform of current international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The international financial institutions created in 1945 after the Second World War are no longer fit to deal with the current global multiple and interlinked crises. They are increasingly at odds with the reality and needs of the world today.

In addition, the existing architecture has been unable to support the mobilization of stable and long-term resources needed by the continent to achieve its development agendas, forcing most countries to turn to private capital markets with unfair interest rates.  At the same time, the continent is robbed daily by Illicit Financial Flows amounting to nearly 90 billion USD per year.

Addressing this issue should be a top priority for the African Union as it begins the formal engagement with the G20, where international solidarity should prevail.

As South Africa gears up to take the reins of the G20, African countries must seize this opportunity to drive forward the continental development agenda and advocate for a more just and equitable world. South Africa should leverage its position within the G20 to advocate for fairer global governance and combat economic inequality.

This article has been updated on 9 September 2024

Your comments and suggestions are also welcome on this site or directly to my email address: Desire.Assogbavi@assodesire.com  or Assogbavi@me.com .

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