A Historic Summit with High Stakes for Africa

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – For the first time in its history, the Group of Twenty (G20), a forum of the world's major economies, will convene on African soil. The twentieth leaders' summit is scheduled for Saturday, 22 November, and Sunday, 23 November 2025, in Johannesburg. South Africa, holding the G20 presidency from 1 December 2024, has themed the summit "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," signaling a commitment to championing the development agenda of Africa and the Global South. This historic gathering comes at a critical juncture, with the African Union (AU) participating for the first time as a permanent member, amplifying the continent's voice on the global stage.

The 'Ubuntu' Presidency: An African Agenda

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized that his nation's presidency will be guided by the spirit of 'Ubuntu'—the recognition of shared humanity and interconnectedness. The agenda is set to prioritize issues of profound relevance to the continent: reforming the global financial architecture, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. These priorities directly align with the AU's strategic goals, which include accelerating the implementation of its Agenda 2063, enhancing trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and achieving food and energy security.

Kenyan Voices: A Call for Economic Justice

For Kenya, the decisions made in Johannesburg will have far-reaching consequences. While the country has registered an average GDP growth of 5.6% in 2024, this has been overshadowed by rising inequality, with nearly 40% of the population living below the poverty line. The national debt has surged to KSh 11.81 trillion, approximately 67.8% of GDP, with debt servicing costs consuming a larger share of the budget than essential public services.

In response, a coalition of Kenyan civil society organizations, the Fight Inequality Alliance (FIA) Kenya, is mobilizing to ensure the voices of ordinary citizens are not ignored. Through a series of "People's Assemblies" held in Nairobi, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Kiambu, communities have articulated their demands. Their core message to the G20 is a demand for systemic change: the cancellation or significant restructuring of unsustainable debt, an end to austerity measures, and the implementation of fair global tax rules that compel multinational corporations and the super-rich to pay their share. "The G20 continues to operate within an economic framework that deepens inequality rather than confronting it," stated Brenda Osoro, National Coordinator of FIA Kenya, in a media briefing on Thursday, 13 November 2025.

Trade, Climate, and the Path Forward

The summit also presents a crucial opportunity to address unfair trade practices that have harmed local industries across East Africa. Analysts argue that the continent must use the platform to advocate for stable, long-term trade agreements that are shielded from the shifting political landscapes of developed nations. This includes securing the renewal of vital trade pacts like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) with the United States.

Climate finance remains another critical agenda item. African nations, which contribute the least to global emissions but suffer disproportionately from climate change, will be pushing for G20 members to honor their commitments to finance adaptation and resilience measures. South Africa's presidency aims to elevate discussions on mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, which is central to the continent's sustainable development.

As leaders prepare to gather, the Johannesburg summit is being framed as a test of the G20's commitment to a more inclusive and equitable global order. For Kenya and the wider East African region, the outcomes could either perpetuate a cycle of debt and dependency or pave the way for a future of sustainable growth and shared prosperity. The world will be watching to see if the spirit of Ubuntu translates into tangible action.