SA Prepared for the First-ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African Soil
Sindile Nyathi
South Africa ready to host the first-ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil on November 22-23, 2025, the country shows it is prepared for this important event. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, along with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, shared updates on preparations during a media briefing.
A total of 42 countries will attend the summit, which includes 20 G20 member states (excluding the United States), 16 guest countries, and six countries representing regional economic groups from Africa, the Caribbean, and East Asia. Lamola mentioned that most leaders will attend at the head-of-state or head-of-government level, with only a few countries, like Russia, Mexico, and Argentina, sending lower-level representatives. He also stated that China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang, which is common for such meetings.
South Africa is confident in its readiness to welcome world leaders. Lamola pointed out that the country has already hosted 130 of the 133 official G20 meetings this year, showing strong planning and execution. The summit will be held at the Nasrec precinct, a venue with historical significance, having connected different communities during apartheid and hosting major events, including the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The agenda for the summit will focus on three main areas: inclusive and sustainable economic growth, building global resilience with a focus on disaster risk reduction, climate change, and food systems, and shaping a fair and just future by addressing critical minerals, decent work, and artificial intelligence. Leaders will also look at important reports from the Africa Expert Panel and the Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality.
There will be several notable side events, including the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting, which brings together leaders from India, Brazil, and South Africa, an SA-EU Summit, discussions on the Compact with Africa, and a Renewable Energy Pledging Event. Lamola thanked the residents of Johannesburg and Gauteng for their patience regarding any disruptions caused by the summit preparations. He highlighted improvements in service delivery, mentioning that stabilizing energy supply shows the positive impact of hosting this major event. He stated, “Hosting a major event of this magnitude can be a catalyst for higher levels of service delivery” and expressed hope that these improvements will continue after the summit.
As the event approaches, South Africa aims to present itself as a capable host that values unity and cooperation. Lamola expressed optimism, stating, “We are ready to negotiate and come out with outcomes of the declaration.” He believes the summit’s results will help amplify Africa’s voice and contribute to a fairer global future. With the world watching, South Africa looks forward to making a meaningful impact at this historic gathering.
