VIEWPOINT IS ON OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AS THE AFRICAN UNION BECOMES A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE G20. IT IS WRITTEN BY HONOURABLE FEMI ADEBISI JP, A MEDIA CONSULTANT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST
The recent admission of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 marks a significant step in Africa’s engagement on the global stage.
The G20 represents around eighty five percent of global GDP and seventy five percent of global trade, as well as two thirds of the world’s population, prior to the joining of AU.
Permanent members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
Others are Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye formerly known as Turkey, United Kingdom and United States, the European Union, EU and the African Union, AU.
Prior to the AU joining the bloc, South Africa was the only African country to have a seat at the table.
No doubt, the admission of G20 will open doors of opportunities.
Membership in the G20 grants Africa a platform to engage with the world’s major economies, fostering economic cooperation, trade partnerships, and investment opportunities and this will stimulate economic growth and development across the continent.
Also, as a member of the G20, Africa gains a seat at the table where global policies and decisions are made and address pressing issues such as poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and climate change.
Strengthened political influence is another gain of being a permanent member of the G20, as it increases Africa’s political influence on the global stage, while it will also address challenges in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and technology transfer.
This engagement can facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, enabling African nations to learn from the experiences and expertise of other G20 members.
Furthermore, while Africa’s membership in the G20 signifies progress, it is imperative for African leaders to exhibit a genuine commitment to tackling corruption, enhancing transparency, and strengthening democratic institutions to avoid reinforcing negative perceptions.
Also, it is vital for African nations to ensure that their representation within the G20 adequately reflects the continent’s diversity and includes voices from various regions and economic strata and promoting inclusivity will allow for a more comprehensive understanding of Africa’s needs and priorities.
Africa must guard against undue influence and ensure that its engagement with the G20 is based on mutual respect and equitable partnerships.
It is essential to prevent scenarios where Africa becomes solely reliant on aid and loans, rather than fostering genuine trade and investment relationships.
It is unfortunate that some G20 members have facilitated the warehousing of stolen funds by African leaders. And the complicity of certain G20 members in these activities perpetuates a cycle of corruption and undermines efforts to uplift African countries.
It is also on the dark side that certain G20 members have collaborated with authoritarian leaders in Africa, disregarding democratic principles and human rights.
This support has often come in the form of financial aid, military assistance, or turning a blind eye to human rights abuses and therefore impeded the growth of democracy, suppressed dissent, and perpetuated political instability within African nations.
Rather than fostering equitable trade partnerships, some G20 members have perpetuated a narrative that primarily views Africa as a region in need of financial aid and this approach hampers Africa’s ability to participate in global trade on equal footing, stifling its economic growth and perpetuating dependency.
Moving forward, the G20 should prioritize fair and equitable partnerships, promote good governance, and support the sustainable development of African countries, by addressing these challenges, the G20 can contribute to breaking the cycle of exploitation and fostering genuine progress and prosperity in Africa.
