Davos: South Africa steps back from G20 under Trump presidency

Davos: South Africa steps back from G20 under Trump presidency

South Africa will scale back its participation in G20 activities during the United States presidency of the bloc, Enoch Godongwana, the finance minister, has said, describing the move as a temporary but unavoidable setback driven by diplomatic realities rather than choice.

Speaking on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Godongwana confirmed that South Africa would not be actively engaged in US-hosted G20 events after Washington indicated it would deny the country accreditation.

“This is not because the Americans can chase us out of the G20,” Godongwana said. “But they hold an important instrument, the accreditation. If you don’t have it, you can’t get into the venue, even if you are around. So they will not accredit us.”

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The decision follows comments made by Donald Trump, United States president, in November, when he said South Africa would not be invited to events hosted by Washington. His remarks came amid months of strained relations between the two countries, during which Trump falsely claimed that white people were facing genocide in South Africa.

The development is particularly striking given South Africa’s prominent role within the group. In 2025, it became the first African country to chair the G20, a milestone widely seen as a breakthrough for the continent’s representation in global economic governance.

Godongwana sought to downplay the long term impact of the exclusion, insisting that Africa would not be silenced within the forum.

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“Africa’s voice will still be heard through the African Union,” he said, adding that South Africa remained a committed member of the G20 despite the current diplomatic impasse.

He also expressed confidence that the situation would not persist beyond the US presidency. Britain, which is set to assume the G20 presidency in 2027, was unlikely to take a similar stance, he said.

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“I do not believe the British will exclude South Africa,” Godongwana added.

Despite the setback at the G20, South Africa continues to position itself as a key convening power on global economic and development issues. Godongwana confirmed that the country will host the World Economic Forum’s special Africa summit in April next year, an event expected to bring political and business leaders together to discuss investment, growth, and the continent’s role in the global economy.

Faith Omoboye is a foreign affairs correspondent with background in History and International relations. Her work focuses on African politics, diplomacy, and global governance.

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