South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, has announced that the country will temporarily scale back its participation in the G20 during the United States’ presidency. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Godongwana described the decision as a “temporary setback.” This move comes after US President Donald Trump stated in November that South Africa would not be invited to US-hosted events, following months of heightened tensions between the two nations.
The tensions escalated after Trump falsely claimed that a white genocide was occurring in South Africa. Godongwana explained that the US holds significant influence over the G20, particularly with regards to accreditation, which is necessary for attendance. “If you don’t have the accreditation, you can’t get into the venue, even if you are around. So they will not accredit us,” he said.
Despite this setback, Godongwana believes that Africa’s voice will still be represented at the G20 through the African Union. He also expressed confidence that the UK, which will assume the presidency in 2027, will not exclude South Africa from participation. Notably, South Africa is scheduled to host the World Economic Forum’s special Africa summit in April next year, underscoring the country’s continued engagement with the global economic community.
The decision to scale back participation in the G20 is significant, as South Africa has been an active member of the forum since its inception. In 2025, the country became the first African nation to chair the forum, highlighting its growing influence in global economic affairs. The current tensions with the US, however, have led to a reevaluation of South Africa’s engagement with the G20 during the US presidency.
Godongwana’s announcement serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in international relations and the potential consequences of diplomatic tensions. As the global economic landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how South Africa’s temporary withdrawal from G20 engagements will impact its relationships with other member nations and its role in shaping global economic policy.
