What Could the African Union Do With Its Membership of the G20?

By Fidel Amakye Owusu

How far since last year?

“What could the African Union do with its membership of the G20?

1. After the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s, the need for a broader group that included emerging economies birthed the G20.
2. It was more expansive than the G7 which was narrow in membership and scope. Regardless, G20 meetings were at the ministerial and central bank levels until the global financial crisis of the 2000s. Yes, it has been notably reactive.
3. Understandably, all G7 members are members of the G20. The group represents 75% of global trade and 85% of global GDP. In terms of numbers, it represents two-thirds of the world’s population.
4. And so, what?
5. This year’s G20 theme was “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. With increasing global conflicts and climate challenges, the theme was apt. The absence of Xi Jinping and Putin was also visible.
6. Regardless, for the 54 sovereign nations of Africa, it was the admission of the African Union as a permanent member of the group, that was most notable. While this is not the first time a regional bloc has been admitted to the group, for a continent that is often put on the back burner in almost everything except its resources, this was significant.
7. The European Union is already a member of the group. The only African country that is a permanent member is South Africa. Currently, the economies of Nigeria and Egypt are larger than that of South Africa. However, the inclusion of the AU could be better utilized by the continent if it is well-handled.
8. What is the way forward?
9. Weeks back, I argued that if Africans are interested in the BRICS, it would be better to join it with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). I posited that that would be a good way Africa could maximize any benefit from the group.
10. Africans can benefit from its bloc membership of the G20, by prioritizing the interest of the people and consensus building. While the continent is not monolithic, there are some common challenges which cut across and could be prioritized in the G20.
11. Issues including education, fair investment in the continent’s resources, stability, eradication of abject poverty and inclusiveness are common among the many states. A more comprehensive agenda with timelines could be drawn to push the African agenda in the prominent forums.
12. In the past, not so many countries have welcomed Africa’s inclusion in the group. However, recent global trends make Africa a big prize in international affairs. Don’t be surprised if the AU is courted by the G7 in the coming years.
13. None of these is consequential if the interest of the ordinary African is not placed at the center.”

Below: a map of Africa showing some states and resources

By Fidel Amakye Owusu – International Relations and Security Analyst and Writer

Article Reproduced with Permission from Fidel Amakye Owusu

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