SOUTH Africa’s 2025 presidency of the G20 marks a historic first for Africa, placing the continent at the centre of global economic governance.
As the first African country to chair this powerful forum of the world’s largest economies, South Africa carries a unique responsibility: to push for reforms that amplify Africa’s voice, address structural imbalances, and unlock development opportunities.
It is a moment that could reshape the rules of the global economy in ways that finally reflect Africa’s aspirations and potential. For Zimbabwe, this moment is more than symbolic. The nation’s economy is deeply tied to South Africa’s through trade, labour migration, and regional cooperation.
South Africa absorbs a significant share of Zimbabwean exports, serves as a critical gateway to global markets, and provides employment for millions of Zimbabweans.
Decisions made under South Africa’s G20 stewardship will, therefore, have ripple effects across the Limpopo. The presidency’s emphasis on job creation and industrialisation resonates strongly with Zimbabwe’s urgent need to revive its manufacturing base, strengthen regional value chains, and reduce unemployment, currently estimated at around 21%.
Active engagement in this African-led global dialogue offers Zimbabwean policymakers a chance to secure investment inflows, advocate for debt relief tailored to the country’s challenges and build resilience against climate shocks.
At the heart of South Africa’s agenda is the urgent issue of employment. Africa’s youth population is projected to double by 2050, yet unemployment rates already exceed 30% in many countries.
Without decisive action, this demographic dividend risks turning into a demographic crisis, fuelling poverty, migration pressures, and instability.
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By leveraging the G20 platform, South Africa seeks to advance industrialisation, support small and medium enterprises and promote technological innovation to generate sustainable jobs across the continent.
For Zimbabwe, whose youthful population is both its greatest strength and greatest challenge, aligning national policies with this continental push will be critical. Investment in vocational training, digital skills and green industries could ensure Zimbabwe does not miss out on the opportunities of the future economy.
Equally pressing are financial reforms. Africa’s rising debt burdens and costly access to international capital markets have stifled growth for decades.
Many African countries pay higher interest rates on sovereign borrowing than economies with weaker fundamentals elsewhere, reflecting unfair credit rating practices.
South Africa is advocating for restructured debt frameworks, fairer ratings and mechanisms to lower the cost of capital. Such reforms would free resources for critical investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare — sectors that remain under strain in countries such as Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s case illustrates the stakes. The country has struggled for years with limited access to concessional financing, forcing reliance on short-term and expensive borrowing. A reformed global financial architecture could open space for debt restructuring, new concessional windows and innovative financing for infrastructure.
South Africa’s advocacy at the G20, therefore, offers Zimbabwe an opening to re-engage global partners and pursue sustainable solutions to its debt challenge.
Climate change is another central pillar. Despite contributing little to global emissions, Africa bears the brunt of environmental degradation and extreme weather events.
South Africa’s presidency calls for a just transition to green economies, with stronger adaptation finance and climate resilience measures. For Zimbabwe, regularly hit by droughts, cyclones, and floods, this push is vital.
Food security, agricultural productivity and water access all depend on climate resilience. The call for increased global funding for adaptation, alongside technology transfer for renewable energy, speaks directly to Zimbabwe’s vulnerabilities.
Developing local solar and hydro potential, while investing in climate-smart agriculture, would position the country to benefit from this global shift.
Trade is also on the agenda. Africa’s share of global trade remains disproportionately low, constrained by structural barriers and rules that disadvantage African exports.
South Africa’s G20 presidency offers a platform to push for reforms that improve market access, reduce tariffs on African agricultural products and integrate African economies more meaningfully into global supply chains.
For Zimbabwe, where exports are heavily concentrated in raw commodities, this is an opportunity to champion value addition, industrialisation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Expanding intra-African trade while securing fairer access to international markets would diversify Zimbabwe’s economy and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Since officially assuming the presidency on December 1 2024, South Africa has elevated Africa’s priorities in G20 discussions placing youth employment, financial reform, and climate resilience firmly on the table.
Early progress has been encouraging, with commitments for targeted youth employment initiatives, debt relief dialogue and climate adaptation funding. Yet the challenge remains to balance diverse G20 interests and translate ambitious agendas into tangible outcomes.
The risk of diluted commitments is real and African countries must remain united and vocal to ensure their priorities are not sidelined.
As the Johannesburg summit approaches later this year, African governments, civil society and the private sector must seize the opportunity to shape outcomes that will endure beyond South Africa’s term.
For Zimbabwe, in particular, proactive engagement could secure both economic relief and political leverage, strengthening its position within regional and global systems.
Civil society can amplify voices demanding accountability, while the private sector can position itself to attract new investment under continental initiatives.
South Africa’s G20 leadership is not just a milestone. It is a turning point.
If strategically harnessed, it could redefine Africa’s role in global governance, transforming long-standing aspirations into concrete influence.
For Zimbabwe, this is a chance to ride the wave of continental momentum, advancing national recovery within a broader African framework.
The future it signals is one of solidarity, equality and sustainability with Africa no longer on the margins, but at the forefront of global progress.
Munyukwi is an international relations student at Africa University with an interest in international business and trade. She is actively building experience in global markets and aims to contribute to shaping international relations.
