In this exclusive interview on G20, an intergovernmental group or association comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union, and the African Union, the President of Africa Development Council (ADC), Ing. Dr. Bright Atsu Sogbey, argues that the U.S. skipping the South Africa-hosted G20 Summit in 2025 is inconsequential to Africa’s development and emphasizes the continent’s growing economic and political influence in global affairs. South Africa, for the first time this year in its history, heads G20. At a quick glance, the G20 and BRICS+ are respectively chaired in 2025 by South Africa and Brazil, both BRICS+ members, which makes it distinctively important historical development for the changing geopolitical world.
The G20 and BRICS+ agenda features a pivotal role in making concerted strides, either in keen competition for economic revitalization or in close collaboration as development players, in the Global South. Dissatisfied with the global dominance of the United States and the stack failure of leaders of developing countries, especially in Africa, to raise their economic status to an appreciable levels and improve standards of living for the impoverished population, currently look foward to joining BRICs+. Late February, Ing. Dr. Bright Sogbey discussed these critical questions in the following interview:
Can we discuss the practical implications of the United States skipping South Africa’s G20, and also White House’s foreign policy approach in the context of geopolitical changes? In what ways can you suggest African leaders, and the AU as a continental organization and member of G20, approach the pertinent evolving issues?
By way of introduction, the G20 Summit remains a pivotal platform for global economic and political discussions, bringing together the world’s largest economies to address pressing global challenges. In 2025, South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20, a significant milestone for Africa’s role in global governance. However, the absence of the United States from the summit raised concerns about potential diplomatic and economic ramifications. The U.S. decision to skip the summit is inconsequential to Africa’s development trajectory and the effectiveness of the G20 under South Africa’s leadership.
Symbolic and Political Considerations
The United States has long been a dominant force in shaping global economic policies, but its absence at the summit does not necessarily translate into diminished outcomes.
1. Growing Multipolarity: The world is shifting towards a multipolar order, where regional alliances such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are gaining greater influence in global decision-making. This lessens the unilateral power of the U.S. in international forums.
2. African Agency in Global Affairs: Africa is increasingly asserting itself in global economic discussions, with or without U.S. participation. The African Union’s permanent seat in the G20 ensures that African interests remain central to global policy debates.
3. Diversification of Partnerships: Africa has diversified its diplomatic and economic engagements beyond traditional Western allies. Countries like China, India, and the European Union remain active partners in Africa’s development agenda.
Economic and Trade Implications
While the U.S. remains a major global economic player, its absence at the summit does not disrupt Africa’s economic progress. Key arguments include:
1. Trade and Investment Continuity: The majority of U.S.-Africa trade and investment agreements are handled bilaterally or through institutions like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The G20 summit is not a primary platform for these engagements.
2. South-South Cooperation: Africa continues to benefit from increasing trade with China, India, and the Middle East, reducing dependency on the U.S. market.
3. Alternative Funding Mechanisms: The rise of the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) and Africa’s own financial institutions, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), provide alternative sources of funding and development assistance.
Geopolitical Realignments and Africa’s Positioning
Within the context of geopolitical transformation, it is important to emphasize that Africa should focus on strengthening its own regional institutions and negotiating power rather than over-relying on Western engagement.
1. The Strengthening of the African Union (AU): Africa’s collective voice within global institutions is more important than the presence or absence of any single country.
2. G20’s Relevance Beyond the U.S.: South Africa’s leadership within the G20 offers an opportunity to champion Africa’s needs, independent of U.S. participation.
3. African-Led Solutions: Africa must continue pushing for reforms in global financial institutions while ensuring internal governance structures, such as ECOWAS and the AU, are strengthened to foster sustainable development.
Under these developments and political circustances, do you think G20 and BRICS are competing and/or cooperating on global for Global South? Do you also suggest African leaders prioritize “African problems, African solutions” particularly using its resources including the human capital, from inside Africa?
South Africa, as the only African country in the G20, must recognize the limitations of this platform. The real focus for South Africa and the entire continent should be on BRICS, a grouping that aligns more closely with Africa’s aspirations for economic sovereignty and industrialization. Therefore South Africa can look within and do more with BRICS than any other geopolitical grouping. South Africa must also work with other African nations to strengthen regional economic ties and encourage more countries to join BRICS for a more balanced global economic power structure.
The absence of the U.S. at the South Africa-hosted G20 Summit in 2025, while notable, does not undermine Africa’s developmental agenda or the effectiveness of the summit. The ADC President’s stance reflects Africa’s growing confidence in its economic and diplomatic agency. With increased regional integration, diversified economic partnerships, and strengthened institutional frameworks, Africa is well-positioned to navigate global economic dynamics without undue reliance on any single global power. The focus, therefore, should remain on Africa’s long-term vision of economic self-sufficiency and sustainable growth.
