By Herlee Media Hub | November 20, 2025
As the countdown to the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg continues, South Africa is making its diplomatic stance clear, economic diplomacy is no longer optional.
Speaking at a high-level working dinner with South African companies operating across the continent, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, emphasised that global competition for markets, minerals, technology, and investment demands a proactive and strategic approach.
Lamola’s remarks came as part of the G20 outreach programme, where government and private sector leaders are aligning positions ahead of the landmark summit. The meeting underscored South Africa’s resolve to use its G20 presidency to champion African interests in trade, industrialisation, and equitable investment partnerships.
South Africa’s message extends beyond its borders. Hosting the G20 places the country and Africa as a whole at the heart of global economic dialogue. This shift reflects a new era in African diplomacy: one that prioritises strategic partnerships, economic growth, and shared prosperity over traditional donor-recipient dynamics.
For regional partners such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, this diplomatic posture opens doors for stronger intra-African trade, cross-border collaboration, and participation in global value chains. It also reinforces Africa’s position as an active player shaping the global economic agenda, rather than a passive observer.
Africa’s growing influence on global platforms is accompanied by challenges. Translating grand strategies into tangible outcomes will require:
- Strong governance and transparent institutions
- Robust infrastructure and logistical coordination
- A policy environment that supports private sector growth
- Deeper regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
As competition intensifies from global powers such as China, the US, India, and the Gulf States, Africa’s success will hinge on unity, policy coherence, and the ability to leverage its vast resources for continental benefit.
Herlee's Insight
For Africa’s communications and diplomacy practitioners, this moment calls for a reframed narrative - one that projects Africa’s agency, innovation, and economic ambition. The continent is not merely participating in global diplomacy; it is helping to redefine it.