It is against this backdrop that high-level international conference was held Thursday in Dakar on the theme “Giving Africa a Voice in the G20.”
The event, organized by AfriCatalyst, the South African International Affairs Institute (SAIIA), the African Union-NEPAD Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together African ministers, policymakers, and economists. Discussions focused on strategies to strengthen the continent’s influence in global governance bodies, particularly following the African Union’s (AU) permanent membership in the G20.
The central objective of the meeting was to consolidate Africa’s role in the G20 following the South African presidency and to ensure that this presence translates into effective participation in global decision-making. Discussions emphasized the need for stronger coordination and continuity in advocating for African priorities.
Daouda Sembène, CEO of AfriCatalyst, reiterated that “the goal is really to ensure that stakeholders are informed about the South African presence, so they understand what South Africa is doing, but also how African countries, represented by the African Union within the G20, can truly ensure their priorities are taken into account.”
For Catherine Phuog, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Senegal, this conference marks a milestone, not an end. “This conversation doesn’t stop here,” she stated, calling on African governments to “continue working together, coordinating, and making joint advocacy on the issues facing Africa.” She also emphasized the importance of maintaining this dialogue in other settings, particularly at the upcoming COP30, mentioning the crucial challenges related to debt and development financing. “Debt, as we know, is expensive, and it is particularly expensive for African countries… how can we find solutions to try to resolve this issue, which is truly an obstacle to development?” she emphasized.
Participants analyzed the outcomes of South Africa’s G20 presidency to draw lessons for strengthening the continent’s future engagement, particularly in the areas of a just energy transition and sustainable finance.
Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Executive Director of the SAIIA, reiterated the role of the Troika—comprising the outgoing, current, and incoming G20 presidencies—in ensuring continuity of work. “South Africa will therefore always be part of the Troika. We hope that the appropriate and effective use of this system will allow some of these dialogues, conversations, and priorities to continue,” she explained.
