Details: Ngoma Kimatu | Journalist; Published: 22 November 2025; 224

Global leaders are arriving in Johannesburg this weekend for the Group of 20 (G20) summit, the first time the high-profile meeting is being hosted on African soil.

But the gathering is unfolding under the shadow of a United States boycott, sparked by President Donald Trump’s repeated and widely disputed accusations that South Africa discriminates against white citizens.

Despite the diplomatic rift, more than 40 nations and international bodies have confirmed their presence at the two-day summit, which begins on Saturday.

The notable exception is the United States, whose refusal to attend has attracted global attention.

Photograph: A large G20 South Africa 2025 emblem is displayed prominently on the floor inside a modern conference hall. Behind it, rows of national flags from member countries are arranged along a long meeting table, signaling preparations for the upcoming summit.

Diplomatic friction ahead of the summit

Washington, one of the founding and most influential members of the G20, is supposed to assume the presidency of the bloc after South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to formally hand over leadership, even if it means symbolically passing the role to an empty chair.

Ramaphosa said on Thursday that US officials had reached out at the last moment to discuss possible involvement, though he did not reveal specifics.

Within hours, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt sharply dismissed Ramaphosa’s remarks, saying the US stance remained unchanged and criticizing the South African leader’s comments.

She did indicate, however, that Washington may still send a representative to accept the ceremonial handover. Acting US Ambassador Marc D Dillard is believed to be the likely envoy, although no official confirmation has been issued.

Johannesburg on high alert

Meanwhile, Johannesburg has transformed in anticipation of the gathering.

Streets have been cleaned and decorated, with vibrant G20 banners lining the city routes. Ramaphosa even surprised many when he joined cleanup crews earlier in the week.

Security has also been significantly tightened. About 3,500 additional police officers are being deployed, and the military remains on standby.

But the preparations have drawn mixed feelings.

Some residents have questioned the cost of hosting such a massive event amid domestic economic strains. Several civil society groups — from climate activists to women’s rights organizations, are planning demonstrations near the venue and airport.

What is the G20?

Established in 1999, the G20 brings together the world’s largest and most influential economies.

The group gained significant prominence during the 2008 global financial crisis, when leaders from both wealthy nations and major emerging economies coordinated responses to stabilize global markets.

The G20 consists of 19 major countries plus the European Union.

In 2023, the African Union joined as a permanent member. Together, they account for around 85% of the world’s GDP and two-thirds of the global population.

Leaders meet annually, usually producing a joint declaration outlining shared priorities. South Africa has chaired the bloc since November 2024 and will pass the role to the United States at the end of this month.

This year’s summit will be held at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre, one of the largest convention grounds on the continent.

Who will be there?

**President Narendra Modi of India arrives at G20, South Africa**

According to South African officials, delegations from 42 nations and institutions have confirmed attendance. Six heads of state will miss the meeting but are sending senior representatives.

High-profile attendees include:

China’s Premier Li Qiang
France’s President Emmanuel Macron
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Also expected are:
African Union Commission Chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Why the US is boycotting

The absence of President Trump is arguably the most politically sensitive issue surrounding the summit.

Trump has criticized South Africa’s leadership and accused the country of persecuting white citizens, allegations widely dismissed by experts, rights groups, and South African leaders.

His claims intensified after South Africa passed land reform legislation aimed at addressing historical inequalities in land ownership.

Earlier this year, Trump suspended US aid to South Africa, a move public health experts said could undermine the country’s HIV programmes.

In May, Ramaphosa challenged Trump directly during a tense meeting in Washington, rejecting the claims of a so-called “white genocide.” But earlier this month, Trump reaffirmed that no US representative would attend the G20, accusing South Africa of “human rights abuses.”

South Africa has attempted to downplay the impact of the boycott, with Ramaphosa calling the decision “unfortunate” but insisting it would not derail the summit.

Other notable absences

Argentina: President Javier Milei will not attend but is sending Foreign Minister Pablo Quirino.
China: President Xi Jinping has opted out and will be represented by Premier Li Qiang.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin will stay away and is sending Maxim Oreshkin due to the ICC arrest warrant.
Nigeria: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cancelled following the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls.
Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum will miss the event due to domestic commitments, with Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente attending.

What’s on the agenda?

South Africa is focusing the summit on issues affecting developing nations, particularly those in the Global South. Key topics include:

Tackling structural economic inequality
Expanding development financing for vulnerable countries
Increasing climate resilience funding
Strengthening climate finance flows from wealthy nations to poorer ones
Supporting fairer debt restructuring and relief
Encouraging responsible resource extraction amid global competition for critical minerals

Policy experts say South Africa has brought forward issues that resonate deeply across the African continent, making this year’s summit particularly significant, regardless of the US absence.