The entry of the African Union (AU) into the group of the most powerful economies in the world, the G20, underlines the growing influence of the continent on the global stage, and offers an opportunity for African countries to finally weigh in international bodies, which historically represented the post-World War II world order, such as the United Nations Security Council. But the African continent is also the one most confronted with a whole series of challenges, ranging from climate change to political instability and economic inequalities with a majority of states drowning in debt. Experts are divided on the extent of the impact that this accession will have in the medium and long term.
Pressure for G20 membership has accelerated this year, with Senegalese President Macky Sall saying an AU seat would right an “injustice” and the head of the Union’s central bank European, Christine Lagarde, having insisted that Africa have more weight within financial institutions. “Africa’s permanent membership in the G20 means it has been recognized as a key player in the global economic landscape,” Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema said after the decision. “African countries must now take advantage of this position to accelerate the development of their economies and their young populations,” he also said.
African leaders have largely applauded this integration even though only South Africa was so far represented at the G20, the summit of which was held a week ago in New Delhi. They hope that the continent’s voice counts more in decisions concerning global finance, international trade and even climate change.
The membership comes at a time when the global order is largely being shaken up, China and Russia are growing in influence, and the BRICS trade group is expanding to include two African nations, Egypt and Ethiopia.
This entry into the G20 “will certainly contribute to putting African issues on the international agenda, by placing the AU at the heart of discussions,” Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs told AFP.
By integrating the 55-member African Union, the G20 welcomes the continent that is the fastest growing, has the world’s largest free trade zone, has the youngest population and is distinguished by a enormous potential to contribute to environmental transitions. Africa has 60% of the planet’s renewable energy resources and more than 30% of the minerals essential for renewable and low-carbon technologies. According to a recent United Nations report on Africa’s economic development, the DRC alone concentrates nearly half of the world’s cobalt, a metal crucial for lithium batteries. “It is important for Africa to be recognized and included. It remains to be seen what she will actually do with this membership,” the researcher, however, qualifies.
Because according to analysts, if the AU already has structures to reach common positions between its 55 members, it will need to work together to make their single voice count in the group.
The AU, headquartered in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, has 55 member states, but several are currently suspended from the group following coups that set up military governments.
For Solomon Ayele Dersso, director of the think tank Amani African Media and Research Services, the G20 thus allows Africa to change its status, going from a continent “object” of decision-making to “actor”. “It brings some much-needed legitimacy to the group, given that some of the decisions it makes have far-reaching consequences for people who until now haven’t had much of a say,” he adds. he.
Climate change is certainly one of the issues on which African countries will seek to make their voices heard better. Because if the continent is one of the most affected by the consequences of climate change, it has been one of the least consulted in decisions taken at the global level.
African leaders gathered in Nairobi this month for a climate summit where they stressed the need to change global financing and support the development of renewable energy on the continent.
According to William Gumede, president of the Democracy Works Foundation, a Johannesburg-based think tank, African nations could also seek to have more of a say in global financial decisions that impact the continent. “Africa will also put on the table that the monetary policy of Western countries must be conducted in a way that does not harm African countries,” he said.
But the emergence of rivalry between China and the United States, Russia’s efforts to expand its influence and the growth of the Brics as a competing economic group have also underscored Africa’s importance. “The timing highlights the continent’s renewed role as a diplomatic battleground,” according to Mr. William Gumede.
Indeed, China now occupies the position of the largest trading partner of the entire African continent, while also being the fourth source of international investment. According to government data from Beijing and New Delhi, bilateral trade between China and Africa reached around $282 billion in 2022. During the same period, trade between India and Africa grew are amounted to almost $98 billion. Last August, the Brics group, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, announced its desire to include six new members. Among these new members are Ethiopia and Egypt, representing the African continent.
