JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Global leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began arriving in Johannesburg on Friday, November 21, 2025, for the historic 20th G20 Leaders' Summit, the first to be held on African soil. Hosted by South Africa, which holds the G20 presidency until November 30, 2025, the two-day summit is operating under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” The gathering is particularly momentous as it is the first since the African Union (AU) was admitted as a permanent member in September 2023, a move intended to amplify the continent's voice in global economic governance.

The summit, scheduled for November 22-23, brings together leaders from the world's 20 largest economies, who collectively represent about 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade. South African officials confirmed that 42 countries and international organizations are expected to participate. The agenda is heavily focused on issues critical to Africa and the Global South, building on the presidencies of Indonesia, India, and Brazil.

An Agenda for Africa and the Global South

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated his presidency's intent to place Africa's development at the forefront of discussions. The key priorities identified by South Africa include ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilizing finance for a just energy transition, harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth, and strengthening disaster resilience. These themes directly align with the AU's Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for the continent's socio-economic transformation.

The focus on critical minerals is especially pertinent, as African nations seek to move up the value chain by processing resources locally rather than exporting raw materials. This push for industrialization is a core component of the Africa Green Minerals Strategy, endorsed by the AU in 2025. With the AU now a full G20 member, there is greater leverage to negotiate for global investment in local processing and manufacturing, aiming to reverse the long-standing "resource curse."

Kenya's Stake: A Call for Economic Justice

For Kenya, the outcomes of the Johannesburg summit are of profound importance. Kenyan civil society groups have been vocal in their demands for a people-centered agenda, calling for systemic reforms to address crippling debt, unfair global tax rules, and climate injustice. The Fight Inequality Alliance (FIA) Kenya, a coalition of grassroots organizations, has held "People's Assemblies" across the country, culminating in a declaration that urges the G20 to cancel unsustainable debt and ensure multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes.

These demands reflect Kenya's pressing economic challenges. Despite projected GDP growth, the country's national debt has surpassed KSh 11 trillion, with debt servicing costs consuming a significant portion of revenue and squeezing funding for essential public services like health and education. President William Ruto has previously welcomed the AU's inclusion in the G20, stating it provides a crucial platform to push for the reform of international financial institutions, a key theme of the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi.

Global Dynamics and Diplomatic Engagements

The summit also serves as a platform for crucial bilateral and multilateral discussions. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi held talks with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and is expected to meet with several other world leaders. Modi is also scheduled to participate in the 6th summit of the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Dialogue Forum, a trilateral grouping of major democracies from the Global South aimed at promoting South-South cooperation. The IBSA bloc is seen as a key driver for ensuring continuity on development priorities within the G20 as the presidency transitions from Brazil (2024) to South Africa (2025).

As leaders deliberate on a new course for the global economy, the key test for the Johannesburg summit will be whether the amplified voice of Africa translates into tangible commitments and a reformed global financial architecture that fosters a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The final Leaders' Declaration is expected to address economic stability, climate finance, and the pressing development needs of the Global South.