Africa at the G20: New Reports Call For Structural Reforms and a Strategic Power Shift 

Dakar, Senegal – Africa’s permanent seat at the G20, secured in 2023, represents an opportunity for the continent to influence rules and systems that have historically constrained its development. AfriCatalyst, in partnership with Global Health Strategies (GHS), will convene a high-level virtual media roundtable on 28 August 2025 at 11:00 GMT, marking the soft launch of the African Union’s G20 Report and a new AfriCatalyst policy brief calling for structural reforms to transform Africa’s G20 membership into meaningful influence.

The event comes at a defining moment, midway through South Africa’s G20 Presidency and amid growing calls for an overhaul of global financial governance. Themed “Shifting Africa’s Role at the G20: From Symbolic Presence to Strategic Influence,” the session will spotlight findings from two landmark publications (attached):

• Africa at the Table: The African Union’s Journey in the G20, produced by Global Health Strategies; and
• Maximizing Africa’s Influence in the G20, a new AfriCatalyst policy brief ” [also accessible through www.africatalyst.com/publications]

Both reports reiterate Africa’s urgent need to move beyond passive participation toward shaping decisions on debt, climate, health, and digital governance. Recommendations include the creation of a permanent G20 Secretariat, stronger Sherpa coordination, alignment between the Finance and Sherpa Tracks, and prioritization of African proposals that reflect the continent’s development needs and global responsibilities.

This roundtable will offer journalists early access to these findings and a chance to engage directly with experts helping shape Africa’s collective voice in the G20. The discourse will spotlight how Africa can advance equitable financing, rechannel Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), build interoperable digital infrastructure, and lead global adaptation efforts in the face of climate instability.

Featured speakers include: 

• Dr. Hamady Diop – Senior Advisor, African Union Special Envoy on Food Systems
• Ms. Mma Amara Ekeruche – Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA)
• Alvin Tofler Munyasia – Climate Fellow, African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES)

About AfriCatalyst

AfriCatalyst is an independent advisory firm bringing together leading African economists, policymakers, and finance experts to advance Africa’s role in global financial governance. The team’s work supports African ownership and leadership in building a just, inclusive financial architecture.

About Global Health Strategies (GHS)

GHS uses advocacy, communications, and policy analysis to advance issues and power campaigns that improve health and well-being around the world. GHS works across some of the world’s most dynamic regions to enable policy innovations, mobilize resources, and build political will, engaging global and local audiences to drive change.

Media contacts: Bineta Pouye, bpouye@africatalyst.com
Rinu Oduala, ROduala@globalhealthstrategies.com