Africa’s Role in the G20

Abstract

The G20, a pivotal player in global governance since 1999, has recently included the African Union (AU) as a permanent member, enhancing its representativeness and legitimacy. This historic development presents both opportunities and challenges for Africa. The AU’s membership will foster collaboration between Africa, other developing countries, and economic powers, advancing Africa’s contribution to global governance. At the same time it will be a good opportunity to show the potential for Africa toshare and advance its transformative roadmap captured in its Agenda 2063. However, representing a diverse continent with 18% of the global population will require immense collaboration and consensus building within Africa. Even more, the AU could also face pressure from G20 members to align with their interests, which may not always be compatible with Africa’s priorities.