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President Ramaphosa underscores SA’s commitment and responsibility as G20 President

Source: Government of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa told delegates attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit that South Africa understands the responsibility of being entrusted with the Presidency of the G20.

“In the execution of its task as the President of the G20, South Africa has throughout the past year – through its stewardship of some 130 meetings in various parts of South Africa, in other countries on the African continent and beyond our shores – sought to undertake this task with care and diligence,” President Ramaphosa said.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, on Saturday, President Ramaphosa said South Africa is deeply aware of the profound responsibility that membership of the community of nations places upon South Africa.

South Africa is hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’.

“We have sought at all times to preserve the integrity and stature of the G20, a premier forum of international economic cooperation,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa told the delegates that the deliberations of the G20 have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community.

“From its initial focus on broad macroeconomic issues, the G20 is now engaged on matters such as trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, environment and climate change, among others.

“As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

“In pursuit of, and in conformity with, the founding mission of the G20, South Africa adopted the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency,” President Ramaphosa said.

President Ramaphosa said through solidarity, the G20 can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind.

“This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations. By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations.

“The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is not only unjust and unsustainable. It is also one of the greatest impediments to sustainable growth,” the President said.

The President pointed out that it is essential that the G20 break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography.

“Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” the President said.

The President told the delegates that as a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20.

“This is important not only for the people of Africa and the Global South. It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict. 

“We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President said thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods.

“It is therefore essential that we make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he said, adding that the G20 must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.    

South Africa is the first African country to host the G20 Summit. South Africa assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in December 2024, becoming the first African state to host the prestigious global forum.

Since taking over the reigns as the President of the G20, South Africa has hosted 130 preparatory meetings which were incident free and used the opportunity to showcase the diversity of our provinces and tourism destinations. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement œuvre à combler le déficit de financement du développement avec une nouvelle plateforme continentale de coordination financière

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org) travaille en étroite collaboration avec des partenaires financiers régionaux clés à la mise en place d’une plateforme panafricaine de coordination financière. Cette plateforme innovante est conçue pour favoriser une plus grande synergie entre les institutions financières africaines et garantir un déploiement efficace des ressources. 

Le président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Sidi Ould Tah, a rencontré les dirigeants des institutions de financement du développement (IFD) africaines et les partenaires financiers du secteur privé le 19 novembre au siège du groupe à Abidjan. Ces réunions faisaient suite à une session de travail de haut niveau avec les dirigeants des bourses africaines, qui s’était tenue la veille. La nouvelle initiative devrait voir le jour après de vastes consultations avec un large éventail d’experts du secteur financier. 

« Un nouveau cadre pour notre partenariat signifie que nous comptons davantage sur vous. Nos pays ont besoin d’énormes ressources », a déclaré M. Ould Tah aux dirigeants des principales IFD en Afrique, parmi lesquelles la Banque d’investissement et de développement de la CEDEAO (BIDC), l’Eastern & Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB), la Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD), Africa Finance Corporation et Shelter Afrique. 

La plateforme proposée permettra d’améliorer l’efficacité grâce à la mutualisation des pipelines de projets, à l’harmonisation des normes techniques et à la coordination des calendriers de mise en œuvre. Les institutions de financement du développement sont des alliés essentiels à sa réussite, car elles sont idéalement placées pour combler les déficits de financement et stimuler le développement aux niveaux national et régional, a souligné le président Ould Tah. « Les IFD régionales sont les plus proches des bénéficiaires », a-t-il fait remarquer, ajoutant qu’il était essentiel de renforcer la base de capital de ces institutions afin d’améliorer leur capacité à remplir leur mandat. 

Les participants à la réunion ont salué cette initiative, formulé des suggestions et partagé les points positifs et les domaines à améliorer. 

Admassu Tadesse, président et directeur général de TDB Group, a reconnu la capacité financière des banques multilatérales de développement telles que le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement. « Elles connaissent les instruments clés qui peuvent nous aider à avancer. », a-t-il affirmé. M. Tadesse a appelé à la mise en place d’un mécanisme de liquidité de réserve pour aider les institutions financières multilatérales de développement régionales à réduire leurs coûts, ainsi qu’à l’utilisation de garanties de capital appelable : « Nous recherchons des capacités, des innovations et souhaitons tirer parti de la notation « AAA » des BMD. Nous sommes constamment à la recherche de financements abordables pour produire un impact », a-t-il déclaré. 

Serge Ekue, président de la BOAD, a souligné l’importance de la notation de crédit « AAA » du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, notant que l’impact de l’instabilité politique, comme les cinq coups d’État survenus en Afrique de l’Ouest au cours des cinq dernières années, avait conduit à la dégradation de la notation de nombreux pays. Pour son institution, cela a été évité grâce au maintien de fonds propres suffisants, a-t-il précisé. Selon M. Ekue, les institutions régionales de financement du développement travaillent plus près du terrain, et il est nécessaire d’éviter les doubles emplois ou les chevauchements d’efforts, et de disposer de cadres opérationnels plus clairs. « Nous sommes suffisamment petits pour nous soucier des détails, mais suffisamment grands pour agir », a-t-il souligné. 

Le président de la BIDC, George Agyekum Donkor, a estimé que des institutions plus importantes, telles que le Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, étaient nécessaires pour soutenir les plus petites grâce à leur crédibilité, ainsi que par le biais d’instruments tels que les programmes de syndication et de cofinancement. « Il doit y avoir une synergie entre les institutions financières », a appelé M. Donkor. 

Une meilleure coordination permettrait d’optimiser la mobilisation des ressources, a reconnu Thierno-Habib Hann, directeur général de Shelter Afrique, organisme panafricain de financement du développement du logement basé à Nairobi. M. Hann a réaffirmé le rôle crucial des banques multilatérales de développement en tant que partenaires soutenant les institutions régionales dans l’accélération du développement. Il a également souligné leur rôle dans le renforcement des capacités, citant les facilités de développement de projets et de préparation de projets au sein du Groupe de la Banque et sa présence sur le terrain. « Nous travaillons vraiment ensemble sur des projets de transformation à grande échelle, nous avons de grandes ambitions », a-t-il noté. 

S’exprimant au nom de Samaila D. Zubairu, président-directeur général d’AFC, Sameh Shenouda a déclaré qu’il était essentiel de décloisonner les secteurs et de renforcer la coopération : « Il n’y a pas assez de projets bancables, pas assez de ressources en capitaux propres. » M. Shenouda a souligné l’importance des relations publiques et de s’exprimer collectivement. « Nous devons discuter ensemble de manière délibérée, organiser des événements communs lors de grands rassemblements tels que l’Assemblée générale des Nations unies. Communiquer ensemble sur l’Afrique aura un impact considérable. » 

« Nous pouvons collaborer encore plus, fonctionner comme un système. Ce système ne concerne pas seulement notre collaboration avec vous, mais aussi votre collaboration avec d’autres », a insisté Solomon Quaynor, vice-président du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement chargé du Secteur privé, de l’Infrastructure et de l’Industrialisation. Avant d’ajouter : « Nous aurons des discussions bilatérales et séparées dans le cadre de cette nouvelle vision, afin de déterminer la meilleure façon d’allouer les capitaux. Nous allons mobiliser nos partenaires. » 

Au terme des réunions, M. Ould Tah a salué des discussions enrichissantes. Il a ajouté qu’un groupe de travail serait mis en place pour traiter les questions clés soulevées lors des consultations : renforcement de l’équité, réduction des risques, subsidiarité, prévention des doubles emplois, prêts concessionnels et liquidités pour les institutions de financement du développement. 

À cette fin, le président Ould Tah a également annoncé qu’il allait engager le dialogue avec le secteur privé et les agences de notation de crédit à la mi-décembre à Londres, juste après la réunion finale de la 17e reconstitution des ressources du Fonds africain de développement (FAD-17), le guichet concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque. Cette réunion est organisée par les gouvernements du Royaume-Uni et du Ghana les 15 et 16 décembre 2025 dans la capitale britannique. 

Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact médias : 
Amba Mpoke-Bigg
Département de la communication et des relations extérieures
courriel : media@afdb.org

À propos du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement :
Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement est la principale institution du financement du développement en Afrique. Il comprend trois entités distinctes : la Banque africaine de développement (BAD), le Fonds africain de développement (FAD) et le Fonds spécial du Nigeria (FSN). Représentée dans 41 pays africains, avec un bureau extérieur au Japon, la Banque contribue au développement économique et au progrès social de ses 54 Etats membres régionaux. Pour plus d’informations: www.AfDB.org 

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Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening of the G20 Leaders Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

Distinguished Heads of State and Government of G20 Members and Invited Guest Countries,
Heads of Regional Economic Communities,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres,
Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Heads of International Organisations,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,

It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you all to the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held on African soil. 

We gather here at the Cradle of Humankind to affirm our common humanity.

We gather here to affirm the value of partnership and cooperation, to finding common solutions to shared problems.

Shortly before the dawn of a democratic and free South Africa in 1994, the founding father of our democracy President, Nelson Mandela, said: “The time has come for South Africa to take up its rightful and responsible place in the community of nations.”

Today, as we open this G20 Leader’s Summit, South Africa is deeply aware of the profound responsibility that membership of the community of nations places upon us.

We also understand the responsibility of being entrusted with the Presidency of the G20. 

In the execution of its task as the President of the G20, South Africa has throughout the past year – through its stewardship of some 130 meetings in various parts of South Africa, in other countries on the African continent and beyond our shores – sought to undertake this task with care and diligence.

We have sought at all times to preserve the integrity and stature of the G20, a premier forum of international economic cooperation.

The deliberations of the G20 have an impact on the lives of all members of the global community.

From its initial focus on broad macroeconomic issues, the G20 is now engaged on matters such as trade, sustainable development, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, energy, environment and climate change, among others.

As the G20 countries, we understand that progress on each and all of these issues is a necessary condition for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

In pursuit of, and in conformity with, the founding mission of the G20, South Africa adopted the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ for its G20 Presidency.

Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people around the world who are at the greatest risk of being left behind. 

This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.

By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations.

The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is not only unjust and unsustainable. It is also one of the greatest impediments to sustainable growth.

It is essential that we break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography. 

Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has sought to ensure that the development priorities of the Global South and the African continent find expression firmly and permanently on the agenda of the G20.

This is important not only for the people of Africa and the Global South 

It is vital for global stability and security, alleviating resource pressures, managing population movements and reducing the risk of conflict. 

We seek stability because it attracts investment, improves planning and reduces the risk of global economic shocks. 

And we prioritise inclusive and vibrant markets because they drive innovation and efficiency. 

Thriving economies lift people out of poverty, encourage greater investment and trade, and generate the revenue needed to invest in public goods. 

The threats facing humanity today – from escalating geopolitical tensions, global warming, pandemics, energy and food insecurity to inequality, unemployment, extreme poverty and armed conflict – jeopardise our collective future. 

It is therefore essential that we make greater and faster progress towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

We welcome the Sevilla Commitment adopted in June this year, which sets forth a renewed global framework for financing for development.

We must use this framework to catalyse development investments at scale in developing economy countries.

We must continue the reform of the international financial architecture, ensuring that institutions are strengthened, are more inclusive and are equipped to meet the challenges both of the present and the future.

At the beginning of our G20 Presidency, we identified four high-level priorities.

Firstly, we focused on action to strengthen disaster resilience and response.

While climate-induced natural disasters affect countries around the world, they have a particularly devastating impact on countries that cannot afford the costs of recovery and rebuilding. 

We have agreed that it is essential for the global community, international financial institutions, development banks and the private sector, to scale up post-disaster reconstruction. 

Secondly, we agreed that we must take action to ensure debt sustainability for low-income countries.

The G20 needs to renew its efforts to advance debt sustainability, with a particular emphasis on African countries. 

Thirdly, we said we should mobilise finance for a just energy transition, increasing the quality and quantity of climate finance flows to developing economy countries. 

Fourthly, we emphasised the importance of harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development through the beneficiation of the minerals at the place of extraction. 

In addition to these four priorities, we have prioritised issues of inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, inequality, employment, food security and artificial intelligence. 

Much of the work of the past year will be presented and considered at this meeting.

We commend in particular the G20@20 Review, which provides a detailed account of the path we have travelled as the G20.

It describes both our achievements and our challenges, and makes proposals on how we can organise ourselves to be more focused on our core mandate.

We welcome the work of the G20 Africa Expert Panel, led by South Africa’s former Minister of Finance Mr Trevor Manuel.

The panel argues that African efforts to accelerate productive investment require new global partnerships and strong multilateral cooperation. It calls on the G20 to support this effort by building a global policy framework that unlocks long-term finance at lower cost and investment at scale.

We are also grateful for the work of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality, led by Professor Joseph Stiglitz.

The recommendations of the Extraordinary Committee provide a solid platform on which to launch a renewed global effort to tackle inequality.

As this is the first G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in Africa, it carries the hopes, and must reflect the aspirations, of the people of this continent and of the world.

We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature or the impact of the first African G20 Presidency.

This G20 Leaders’ Summit has a responsibility not to allow the integrity and the credibility of the G20 to be weakened.

We thank all the delegations that have worked together with us in good faith to produce a worthy G20 outcome document for this historic leaders’ meeting.

The G20 underscores the value and relevance of multilateralism.

It recognises that the challenges we all face can only be resolved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership. 

The adoption of the declaration from the summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.

It sends a message of hope and solidarity.

It tells the world that as the leaders of the G20, we will keep fast to our solemn pledge to leave no person, no community and no country behind.

I thank you
 

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G20 Leaders arrive to warm welcome at Nasrec Expo Centre

Source: Government of South Africa

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Deputy President Paul Mashatile and several Cabinet ministers arrived early this morning at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg to welcome G20 leaders attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which officially opened at 10am today and ends tomorrow.

Some G20 leaders arrived in South Africa during the week, while others touched down last night. Only a few delegations are expected to arrive this morning.

South Africa is the first African country to host the G20 Summit, having assumed the year-long G20 Presidency in December 2024. The country is hosting the global forum under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”

Earlier this month, Cabinet expressed its full confidence in South Africa’s ability to host a successful G20 Leaders’ Summit.

 Since taking over the reigns as the President of the G20, the country has convened 130 incident-free preparatory meetings, showcasing the diversity of its provinces and tourism destinations.

At the media centre housed at the Summit’s venue, it’s a hive of activity with journalists preparing themselves to cover the Summit from the centre while others are conducting interviews with ministers and senior government officials.

 Outside the venue, police are directing arriving vehicles and conducting thorough inspections as part of heightened security measures.

Security around the Nasrec Expo Centre has been significantly tightened, with multiple road closures in the surrounding area. 

Earlier this week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) reaffirmed the country’s readiness to ensure the safety of delegates and the public during the Summit.

NATJOINTS confirmed that while a soft lockdown is currently in place around the venue, a hard lockdown will be enforced from Friday, 21 November to Monday, 24 November 2025 in the vicinity of the FNB Stadium, which is housing the accreditation centre and the Nasrec Expo Conference centre, which is hosting dignitaries and delegates.

According to NATJOINTS, the hard lockdown means that only individuals with valid accreditation will be permitted in and around the precinct. All vehicles arriving at the venue and in the vicinity are undergoing stringent security checks before being allowed to enter the premises. – SAnews.gov.za

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Law enforcement on high guard as dignitaries pour in for G20 Leaders’ Summit

Source: Government of South Africa

Law enforcement is on high alert and ready to ensure the safe, smooth and secure running of the G20 Leaders’ Summit commencing at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg today.

This, according to South African Police Service national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who spoke to SAnews at the centre just ahead of the summit.

Thousands of people, including heads of state and government, their entourages, delegates and the media are gathering at the global gathering.

“We are quite confident of the security measures that we’ve put in place to ensure that this event takes place in a safe and secure environment…a lot of planning and coordination. But now it’s time for execution and we are quite confident that we will ensure the smooth running of this two-day G20 Leaders’ Summit.

“We have been meeting regularly as the security cluster…and looking at our track record, we have no doubt that this event will take place in a very peaceful environment,” Mathe said.

The spokesperson reminded South Africans of SAPS’ track record of keeping gatherings of this magnitude safe.

She added assurance that regular policing continues where citizens live.

“NATJOINTS has been at the forefront of ensuring that events of this magnitude take place in a very secure environment. We’ve held the BRICS Summit, AGOA conference and the 2010 World Cup and all those events took place in a very secure environment and thanks to our law enforcement agencies who are on the ground doing what is expected of them…to enforce the law.

“Citizens need not worry. We are still having members at the police stations. Our members are still working and any victim of crime, any complaint, you will be taken care of at the police station. Officers at the stations are still working to keep you safe,” she said.

The centre and surrounding areas have been earmarked as red zones only accessible by accreditation.

“If you are not in possession of a valid accreditation card then you cannot be in this vicinity because there’s heightened police operations [and] security is tight.

“We have declared this area as a vehicle-free zone. Meaning that we have implemented a park and ride system. At the park and ride, you get a screening point with police officers where we verify your accreditation card and check for prohibited items,” she told SAnews.

Speakers’ corners have been made for those who have applied to protest at the event. 

These areas will also be under police guard – ensuring that South Africans can exercise their right to protest under a safe environment.

However, those who step outside of the bounds of the law will be dealt with.

“We are warning those who want to test our security measures that we are not going to allow any lawlessness. We are not going to allow any criminality. We are here to stamp the authority of the state.

“We are not going to allow any disruptions. Any testing of security measures and you’ll find yourself on the wrong side and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with that ill-discipline,” Mathe warned.

South Africans are urged to take heed of road closures and traffic control during the weekend.

“We request and urge the people of South Africa, in the true spirit of ubuntu, to cooperate with law enforcement. It’s just for a short period of time where there will be traffic disruptions and traffic congestions and not being able to use certain roads.

“Let us show our international visitors the true spirit of ubuntu. Let us stand together to ensure the successful hosting of this particular event,” Mathe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa’s Clean-Cooking Drive Hinges on Carbon-Credit Reform, Transport Upgrades

Source: APO – Report:

Africa’s long-delayed transition to clean cooking will fail without a serious overhaul of how the continent finances, transports and regulates LPG, senior executives said during a high-level panel on clean cooking and LPG at the G20 Africa Energy Investment Forum in Johannesburg on Friday. 

Speakers pointed to a rare alignment of political support – following G20 endorsement of clean cooking as a priority area – but warned that critical infrastructure gaps and a broken financing ecosystem are slowing progress. 

South Africa’s LPG demand sits “just below 500,000 metric tons,” yet supply remains constrained due to offline refineries and a fragmented transport network, said Sesakho Magadla, Acting CEO of PetroSA. Getting refineries operational again – including PetroSA’s Gas-to-Liquids refinery in Mossel Bay – is “a priority,” she noted, adding that the company aims to mobilize by 2026 to relieve pressure on the domestic market. 

But infrastructure extends beyond production. PetroSA is now examining rail improvements – particularly linking Saldanha Bay to Mozambique – to ease congestion and move LPG at scale. It requires “collaboration beyond the energy sector,” Magadla noted, “so that when the rail is operational, you can connect the existing fragmented transportation network and move the product.” 

Private-sector operators echoed the call for major transport reform. Tamsin Rankin Donaldson, Head of Marketing and Communications at Petredec, said poor logistics and limited terminal capacity add “a 10–20% premium” to LPG costs because companies are forced to “bring smaller parcels through smaller terminals.” Africa urgently needs “infrastructure that allows us to bring in higher volumes,” including terminals capable of receiving Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), she said. 

Petredec is currently constructing the Tanga LPG terminal in Tanzania and exploring a rail link from Richards Bay to inland markets in South Africa. Her biggest policy request was clear: governments must prioritize “streamlining permitting processes” to accelerate project timelines. 

While infrastructure determines affordability, financing determines whether projects move from concept to construction. “The green finance mechanism is underused,” said Titus Mathe, CEO of the South African National Energy Development Institute, who said that investors lack the data they need to quantify emissions reductions and energy savings from clean-cooking interventions. “When you think of clean cooking and LPG, the biggest challenge is data.” 

He called for a unified Africa-wide clean-cooking data platform and proposed creating an LPG clean-cooking financing facility backed by the AU, G20 and global institutions “so that LPG projects across Africa can be accelerated to reach last-mile users.” 

The lack of emissions-credit pathways also dominated the discussion. According to the International Energy Agency, Africa requires $37 billion to achieve universal clean-cooking access by 2030, yet the current carbon-credit framework offers little support for LPG-based solutions. 

“We have to put carbon credits as part of the LPG discussion,” said Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association. Clean cookstoves qualify for credits, but LPG does not – disadvantaging the very solution most capable of rapid scale-up. 

“The parts of Africa like Kenya that have accelerated LPG uptake have used subsidies, but that is not sustainable,” Kragha said. Unlocking climate finance for LPG could help replace subsidies with market-driven growth. 

For financiers, regulatory clarity is paramount. “If I’m a financier, I want to see clarity of regulation and project preparation,” Kragha said, adding that Africa must also attract a competitive workforce to implement projects at the necessary pace. 

Rankin Donaldson underscored the scale of the challenge: achieving universal clean-cooking access by 2040 requires 80 million new connections every year – “seven times the pace we’re currently doing.”  

Without rapid investment in transport networks, permitting reform and a carbon-credit framework that recognizes LPG’s climate benefits, speakers warned that Africa risks missing a once-in-a-generation window to deliver clean, affordable cooking energy. 

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

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G20 Leaders’ Summit officially kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

Heads of State and Government, international organisations, leaders and high-level delegates have arrived for the much anticipated opening day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The summit – a historic, first of its kind for the African continent – is being held at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, from today until Sunday.

Leaders from countries including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Namibia, China and Malaysia have all already arrived for the summit.

Deputy government spokesperson, William Baloyi, explained to SAnews the order that dignitaries are set to arrive in.

“We started with international organisations like the United Nations. After that, we received the invited countries –heads of state and leaders of government of the countries that we have invited.

“After that, President Ramaphosa will then receive the G20 members. They have been synchronised to arrive from Sandton to Nasrec,” he said.

Baloyi told SAnews that preparations have gone according to plan.

“We are hosting the whole world here and the preparations thus far have gone so well. 

“When you host the world, it’s not easy. Our infrastructure – our ports of entry – is excellent. [Dignitaries] have arrived and we were able to take them to our beautiful facilities in the hospitality industry,” he said.

The deputy spokesperson called on South Africans to offer up their world-famous hospitality to international visitors.

“We want to thank South Africans for the 130 meetings that were held [preceding the Leaders’ Summit]. South Africans attended, South Africans made inputs and made sure that they go well.

“Events of this magnitude inconvenience people. How they use the roads and even now we’ve closed some of the roads. However, the patience and understanding of South Africans has made sure that the people are able to feel welcome.,

“South African road users, we’ve appealed to them…and they have nicely made sure that they play their part. This is part of what makes us South Africans part of a great nation,” Baloyi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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La campagne pour une cuisine propre en Afrique dépend de la réforme des crédits carbone et de la modernisation des transports

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La transition vers une cuisine propre, longtemps retardée en Afrique, échouera sans une refonte en profondeur du mode de financement, de transport et de réglementation du GPL sur le continent, ont déclaré des cadres supérieurs lors d’une table ronde de haut niveau sur la cuisine propre et le GPL lors du Forum du G20 sur les investissements énergétiques en Afrique, qui s’est tenu vendredi à Johannesburg. 

Les intervenants ont souligné un rare alignement du soutien politique – suite à l’adoption par le G20 de la cuisine propre comme domaine prioritaire – mais ont averti que les lacunes critiques en matière d’infrastructures et un écosystème financier défaillant ralentissaient les progrès. 

La demande de GPL en Afrique du Sud est « légèrement inférieure à 500 000 tonnes », mais l’offre reste limitée en raison de la fermeture de raffineries et d’un réseau de transport fragmenté, a déclaré Sesakho Magadla, PDG par intérim de PetroSA. La remise en service des raffineries, y compris celle de PetroSA à Mossel Bay, est « une priorité », a-t-elle souligné, ajoutant que la société vise à se mobiliser d’ici 2026 pour soulager la pression sur le marché intérieur. 

Mais les infrastructures ne se limitent pas à la production. PetroSA examine actuellement la possibilité d’améliorer le réseau ferroviaire, en particulier la liaison entre Saldanha Bay et le Mozambique, afin de réduire les encombrements et de transporter le GPL à grande échelle. Cela nécessite « une collaboration au-delà du secteur de l’énergie », a souligné M. Magadla, « afin que, lorsque le réseau ferroviaire sera opérationnel, il soit possible de relier le réseau de transport fragmenté existant et de transporter le produit ». 

Les opérateurs du secteur privé ont fait écho à cet appel en faveur d’une réforme majeure des transports. Tamsin Rankin Donaldson, responsable du marketing et de la communication chez Petredec, a déclaré que la mauvaise logistique et la capacité limitée des terminaux ajoutaient « une prime de 10 à 20 % » au coût du GPL, car les entreprises sont obligées de « transporter des colis plus petits via des terminaux plus petits ». L’Afrique a un besoin urgent « d’infrastructures qui nous permettent d’importer des volumes plus importants », notamment des terminaux capables d’accueillir des méthaniers de très grande capacité (VLGC), a-t-elle déclaré. 

Petredec construit actuellement le terminal GPL de Tanga en Tanzanie et étudie la possibilité d’une liaison ferroviaire entre Richards Bay et les marchés intérieurs de l’Afrique du Sud. Sa principale demande en matière de politique était claire : les gouvernements doivent donner la priorité à la « rationalisation des processus d’autorisation » afin d’accélérer le calendrier des projets. 

Si les infrastructures déterminent l’accessibilité financière, le financement détermine quant à lui si les projets passent du stade de concept à celui de construction. « Le mécanisme de financement vert est sous-utilisé », a déclaré Titus Mathe, PDG de l’Institut national sud-africain pour le développement énergétique, qui a ajouté que les investisseurs ne disposaient pas des données nécessaires pour quantifier les réductions d’émissions et les économies d’énergie résultant des interventions en faveur d’une cuisine propre. « Quand on pense à la cuisine propre et au GPL, le plus grand défi réside dans les données. » 

Il a appelé à la création d’une plateforme de données unifiée à l’échelle africaine sur la cuisine propre et a proposé la création d’un mécanisme de financement de la cuisine propre au GPL soutenu par l’UA, le G20 et les institutions mondiales « afin que les projets GPL à travers l’Afrique puissent être accélérés pour atteindre les utilisateurs finaux ». 

L’absence de voies d’accès aux crédits carbone a également dominé la discussion. Selon l’Agence internationale de l’énergie, l’Afrique a besoin de 37 milliards de dollars pour parvenir à un accès universel à la cuisson propre d’ici 2030, mais le cadre actuel des crédits carbone offre peu de soutien aux solutions basées sur le GPL. 

« Nous devons intégrer les crédits carbone dans le débat sur le GPL », a déclaré Anibor Kragha, secrétaire exécutif de l’Association africaine des raffineurs et distributeurs. Les cuisinières propres donnent droit à des crédits, mais pas le GPL, ce qui désavantage la solution la plus susceptible d’être rapidement déployée à grande échelle. 

« Les régions d’Afrique comme le Kenya qui ont accéléré l’adoption du GPL ont eu recours à des subventions, mais cela n’est pas viable », a déclaré M. Kragha. Débloquer des financements climatiques pour le GPL pourrait aider à remplacer les subventions par une croissance tirée par le marché. 

Pour les financiers, la clarté réglementaire est primordiale. « Si je suis un financier, je veux voir une réglementation claire et une préparation des projets », a déclaré M. Kragha, ajoutant que l’Afrique doit également attirer une main-d’œuvre compétitive pour mettre en œuvre les projets au rythme nécessaire. 

Rankin Donaldson a souligné l’ampleur du défi : pour parvenir à un accès universel à une cuisine propre d’ici 2040, il faut 80 millions de nouveaux raccordements chaque année, soit « sept fois le rythme actuel ». 

Sans un investissement rapide dans les réseaux de transport, une réforme des permis et un cadre de crédits carbone qui reconnaisse les avantages climatiques du GPL, les intervenants ont averti que l’Afrique risquait de manquer une occasion unique de fournir une énergie de cuisson propre et abordable.

Distribué par APO Group pour African Energy Chamber.

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High debt serving cost hinder Africa’s development

Source: Government of South Africa

African leaders have underscored the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle the immediate burden of high debt service costs and address the underlying causes of recurring debt crises on the continent.

These sentiments were expressed by African Heads of State and Government, the African Union (AU), and African organisations, on the margins of the 2025 Group Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit, during a working dinner that was convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday in Johannesburg. 

They expressed strong support for the G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability, which signals the intent of the G20 to do more to tackle unsustainable levels of debt alongside the rising cost of capital, particularly for African countries.

Africa faces growing financing pressures as rising debt service costs severely constrain development.

By end-2024, public debt had reached USD 1.815 trillion, while annual debt servicing climbed to USD 163 billion, leaving 57% of Africans living in countries where debt payments exceed health or education spending.

The high level of debt is unsustainable and undermines efforts towards sustainable development and poverty alleviation. 

“African leaders supported the creation of a global Borrowers Platform to strengthen technical cooperation and amplify borrower voices, with a United Nations entity as its secretariat. 

“The establishment of the platform will improve the governance and operation of the global debt architecture. African leaders committed to working together in a spirit of cooperation to establish the Borrowers’ Platform over the next year and welcomed South Africa’s offer to convene the inaugural meeting of the platform in 2026,” the Presidency said.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the rising debt burden on African countries as an issue that requires action by the international community.

The Africa Expert Panel, chaired by former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel, presented its report to African leaders, who welcomed its proposals. 

The report puts forward simple, straightforward actions to accelerate investment in Africa, including disclosing project-level financial data to reduce investment costs and making simple adjustments to global banking regulations to unlock more finance for infrastructure and development.

Further actions include ensuring that the methods of credit rating agencies are sound, their sources fully disclosed, and their actions subject to regulatory oversight; and strengthening debt transparency and ensuring that creditors participate in reconciling debt data. 

“President Ramaphosa committed to take the proposals of the panel forward not only in the G20 but in other international fora, working closely with the African Union and other partners.

“African leaders further welcomed the Report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee on Global Inequality which was commissioned under South Africa’s G20 Presidency and supported the Committee’s proposal to create a permanent International Panel on Inequality which will provide policymakers, the private sector, and the public with authoritative assessments on inequality, and ensure that inequality continues to be discussed by leaders as in the G20 and other multilateral fora,” the Presidency said.

The meeting discussed the four high-level priorities that anchored the work of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, namely:

  • Strengthening disaster resilience and response;
  • Ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries;
  • Mobilising finance for a just energy transition; and
  • Harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Heads of State and Government from the world’s largest economies will gather on Saturday and Sunday in Johannesburg at the G20 Leaders’ Summit to discuss and coordinate on major global issues.

G20 members include the world’s major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and since 2023, the African Union. – SAnews.gov.za

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First ever G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil kicks off

Source: Government of South Africa

A historic moment is unfolding in Johannesburg today as the world turns its eyes to Africa.

For the first time ever, the G20 Leaders’ Summit is being held on African soil.

South Africa – and by extension the continent – is poised to centre its priorities and those of the Global South on the global agenda like never before.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the G20 Presidency gavel from Brazil in 2024, he pledged that South Africa would lead with solidarity at the forefront.

“We will work to ensure that no one is left behind. The world is faced with severe challenges and crises. Through partnerships across society, and by reigniting our common humanity, South Africa will seek to harness global collective energy to confront these challenges.

“Through our G20 Presidency, we will seek to strengthen solidarity. Whether it is in Gaza, Sudan or Ukraine, we must all stand in solidarity with those people who are facing hardship and suffering. We must stand in solidarity with those countries that are most vulnerable to pandemics and other global public health emergencies,” he said.

Furthermore, Africa and the global south would not be left behind.

“South Africa’s Presidency will be the first time an African country has presided over the G20.

“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African Continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” the President affirmed.

Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability

During the official launch of the G20 Presidency, President Ramaphosa outlined South Africa’s theme for the year: Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.

“Through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future that advances the interests of people at the greatest risk of being left behind. This is important in an interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation affect all nations.

“The disparities in wealth and development within and between countries is unjust and unsustainable. By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations. We aim to break down divisions of economic status, gender, race, geography or any other characteristic.

“Sustainability involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In line with our theme, we will seek to strengthen and advance the international effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he explained.

He noted the importance of ensuring that the country’s G20 Presidency is inclusive – the people’s G20.

“Dialogue with civil society and other non-government institutions will be conducted through various engagement groups.

“These engagement groups are organised according to sectors, such as business, labour, civil society, parliamentary bodies and the judiciary.

“These engagement groups also include science bodies, think tanks, and audit institutions, as well as institutions of higher learning, specific groups for women and youth including vulnerable groups,” he said.

Indeed, engagement groups held some 100 preparatory meetings during the year which culminated in an inclusive G20 Social Summit held this week.

The Social Summit agreed on a declaration which was handed to President Ramaphosa to present to global leaders over the next two days.

Global praise

As the opening ceremony drew closer yesterday, heads of state and government and their entourages began to arrive for the summit – received by President Ramaphosa, ministers and high-ranking government officials.

In a statement ahead of the summit, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the leaders’ summit as a “particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa”.

“During India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023, the African Union had become a member of the G20.

“The Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. The theme of this year’s G20 has been ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, by which South Africa has carried forward the outcomes from the previous Summits held in New Delhi, India and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I will present India’s perspective at the Summit in line with our vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One earth, One Family and One future,’” the statement read.

On Friday evening during the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Summit hosted with President Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, UK Prime Minister Keir Startmer added to the chorus of voices congratulating South Africa on its Presidency.

“What a fantastic thing it is that the G20 is being hosted in Africa for the first time here in South Africa. What a wonderful opportunity.

“It has been a great success and the next two days will build on that success. Congratulations,” Starmer remarked.

In a press conference, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres praised South Africa’s efforts to put challenges that hit developing nations the hardest like finance debt reform and climate change.

“I first of all pay tribute to leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa. I think he has put on the table all the issues that matter in relation to the needs, the financial and economic needs, of the developing countries in general and African countries in particular.

“It’s time to have a real global international financial system, which main preoccupation should be [to] address the challenges that developing countries face. Will the G20 be able to move in that direction? We will see. But I think that South Africa has done its part putting those things clearly on the table,” Guterres said.

A time for South Africa, Africa and the global south

The wait is over, world leaders have touched down in Johannesburg and the countdown has finally reached its peak.

South Africa is hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit – the final, illustrious stage of South Africa’s year-long G20 Presidency. – SAnews.gov.za