In a historic milestone for the continent, South Africa assumes the G20 presidency in 2025, the first African nation to lead the world’s largest economies. This momentous opportunity sets the stage for Africa to steer a global agenda that prioritizes development, debt relief, climate finance, and critical minerals. President Ramaphosa aims to advance equitable financial systems and a just energy transition, with the G20 summit set for Johannesburg in November 2025.
A New UK-Africa Partnership
David Lammy, UK Foreign Secretary, has pledged a transformational shift in the UK’s engagement with Africa, prioritizing trade, investment, and strategic partnerships over aid dependency. His five-month consultation promises to center African voices. Early results include a strategic partnership with Nigeria, focusing on economic cooperation and security, and a forthcoming growth plan with South Africa aimed at bolstering trade and agricultural jobs.
2025: A Year of Both Challenge and Promise
Economic pressures persist across Africa, from youth unemployment to rising living costs. Protests and political shifts in 2024 toppled long-dominant parties, signaling citizens’ demand for change. Notably, Botswana’s opposition leader Duma Boko ended 58 years of single-party rule, reflecting widespread frustration. Ghana’s new President, John Mahama, faces the challenge of economic recovery after a severe financial crisis, while Nigeria grapples with endemic poverty despite reform efforts.
Yet, hope endures. Africa boasts the highest number of economies with projected growth exceeding 6%, with Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania leading as beacons of sectoral growth.
Political and Diplomatic Flashpoints
Fewer elections are slated for 2025, but critical ones in Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon could reshape political landscapes. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reformist legacy faces scrutiny amid rising authoritarianism. In Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, aging leaders’ decisions on candidacy remain key questions.
The African Union’s leadership election in February will be pivotal. High-profile candidates, including Kenya’s Raila Odinga, promise to redefine its approach to security and conflict.
Meanwhile, ongoing crises in Sudan and the Horn of Africa demand urgent solutions. Turkey’s growing diplomatic influence highlights a shifting geopolitical landscape, as does France’s complete military withdrawal from West Africa amid rising anti-French sentiment and Russian expansionism.
A Defining Year for Africa’s Future
Africa’s G20 presidency is more than symbolic—it’s a platform to advance African-centered solutions on the world stage. The continent’s resilience, innovation, and strategic partnerships hold the key to its global economic ascendancy. As Africa takes its place at the center of international policy-making, the eyes of the world turn to a year of potential transformation.
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