G20 2025 South Africa: Key issues and what to expect

South Africa is taking centre stage in global affairs in 2025 as we host the G20 Summit in November. But what exactly is the G20 – and why should it matter to you?

The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an international forum for governments and policymakers from 19 countries and two economic regions: the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).

It was established in 1999 to bring together the world’s major economies to discuss and coordinate policies on global economic challenges that affect everyday people, such as unemployment, education, health, food security, and how we respond to climate change and digital disruption.

The G20 has been responsible for some pivotal moments in history. Back in 2009, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the G20 approved a $1 trillion rescue package that helped stabilise the world economy.

This year, with South Africa as G20 President, we have a unique opportunity to bring African priorities to this powerful decision-making table.

“This is a moment for Africa – and for South Africans – to shape the future, not just respond to it,” says Shadi Chauke, Sanlam’s Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

Sanlam – Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group – is a major supporter of the G20 and sees it as a platform to elevate African voices in building a more equal, inclusive, and sustainable global economy. Sanlam’s Group CEO, Paul Hanratty, is steering the B20 task force on Employment and Education, with Shadi Chauke as his Deputy.

Sanlam experts will actively participate in various B20 task forces leading up to the G20 Summit in November 2025. Their contributions will span across task forces including: Energy Mix and Just Transition, Digital Transformation, Finance and Infrastructure, Integrity and Compliance, and Industrial Transformation and Innovation.

But let’s take a step back, what is the G20, really?

Shandi says the G20 is a meeting based on diplomacy. Bringing the world’s most influential leaders together on the biggest pressing global matters. The meeting doesn’t make laws or regulations.

Instead, it acts as a kind of global steering committee, aligning countries on how to collectively address the world’s complex issues. She says, “Think of it as a forum where countries try to find common ground on shared global challenges – from inequality to energy security.”

Paul Martin, former Canadian Prime Minister and one of the founding members of the G20, is quoted as describing the purpose of the G20 as “recognition that countries cannot solve the problems of globalisation alone. Globalisation is a reality, climate change is a reality, and poverty in certain countries cannot be allowed to fester. We need to solve these together”.

10 Things You Should Know About the G20 – And Why They Matter to You

It’s incredibly powerful

The G20 countries, including the EU and AU represent 85% of the world’s GDP, 75% of global trade and approximately two-thirds of the world’s population. Decisions made here ripple out to every corner of the globe, including South Africa.

Africa is under-represented – but that’s changing

South Africa is the only African nation with permanent membership in the G20. However, under this year’s presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa advocated for greater African inclusion, and formally invited Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria to participate as guest countries in this year’s G20 proceedings.

It was born out of necessity

The G20 evolved from the older G7 group (seven major economies), which was seen as too exclusive to address today’s complex global challenges. The G7 found out the hard way that countries would not implement solutions that were dictated to them, but rather workedshopped with them. The G20 was created to be more representative, including both developed and developing nations.

It began with Finance but has grown in scope

The G20 started in 1999 in Berlin as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors. Its original focus was on global financial stability, but today it covers a wide range of topics such as climate change, health, education, technology and social development.

It’s more informal than it seems

Unlike the United Nations or the World Health Organisation, the G20 is not a rules-based institution. Countries don’t sign treaties, but they make commitments – and it’s up to each country to implement them. This flexible structure allows for faster collaboration, but it also means accountability depends on individual governments.

It shapes real-world outcomes

Even though it’s not a legislative body, the G20 sets the tone for global cooperation. For example, it agreed on measures to fight financial instability, committed to keeping global warming below 2°C, and pushed for reforms to benefit developing nations.

South Africa is setting the agenda this year

As hosts, we’ve chosen the theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. We’re making sure African issues like inequality, food security, the debt crisis, digital inclusion, and climate resilience are front and centre – and that the global conversation includes the realities of the Global South.

It impacts your everyday life

The G20 influences everything from the price of fuel and groceries to how we deal with global pandemics. For instance, during COVID-19, the G20 launched the Debt Service Suspension Initiative to help poorer countries survive economically. It also pushes for fairer tax systems and stronger financial regulation.

Every year we have a new President

The host country of the G20 is called the President because it holds the G20 Presidency for the year, leading and coordinating the agenda, meetings, and priorities. It refers to the country chairing the G20, not an individual leader.

Many ideas and voices feed into the G20

Even though G20 decisions are made by governments, many people are involved in the G20 through a range of engagement groups where ideas from business, civil society, women, youth, and labour are gathered and shared with government leaders. These include: B20 – Business, C20 – Civil Society, W20 – Women, L20 – Labour, Y20 – Youth, to name a few.

What has the G20 achieved in the past?

• In 2009, it coordinated a global economic rescue effort after the financial crisis.
• It created the Financial Stability Board to help prevent future crises.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, it suspended debt repayments for low-income countries.
• It supports the Paris Agreement on climate change and promotes sustainable finance.
• It works to reduce inequality and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals – from education to gender equality.

Hosting the G20 puts South Africa in the global spotlight. It gives us the rare opportunity to influence global decisions and ensure that African voices are heard. The stakes are high – but so is the potential to create lasting, inclusive change.

“At Sanlam, we support platforms like the G20 and B20 because they give Africans a chance to shape a future that’s fair, inclusive and sustainable,” says Shandi. “Helping people live with financial confidence starts by giving them a voice.”

Also see: Meet this year’s Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman awards finalists