G20 Expert Panel Urges Bold Action to Transform Africa’s Development Path

This year’s G20 Summit in Johannesburg brings global leaders to African soil for the first time, placing African priorities firmly at the center of the global economic agenda.

A landmark report released under South Africa’s G20 Presidency has called for ambitious multilateral reforms to unlock Africa’s development potential, shift global cooperation toward investment-driven growth, and strengthen the role of African institutions—particularly the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)—in catalyzing productive investment across the continent.

The document, titled “Growth, Debt and Development: Opportunities for a New African Partnership,” was officially handed over during a ceremony in Johannesburg on 17 November 2025, marking a major milestone for the first-ever African country to lead the G20.

President Ramaphosa: “Africa is the Century’s Greatest Opportunity”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the work of the Africa Expert Panel, a 25-member body convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and chaired by former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

Ramaphosa emphasized that Africa represents a pivotal force in global prosperity:

“We have a youthful and growing population, dynamic and innovative societies, and a wealth of natural resources. The greatest opportunity for global prosperity in the 21st century lies in Africa.”

This year’s G20 Summit in Johannesburg brings global leaders to African soil for the first time, placing African priorities firmly at the center of the global economic agenda.

African Development Bank Leaders Play Central Role

The Expert Panel includes prominent figures from the African Development Bank Group:

• Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Vice President and Chief Economist

• Dr. Anthony Musonda Simpasa, Director of the Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting and Research Department

Their participation reflects the Bank’s deep expertise and longstanding leadership in African development finance, macroeconomic stability, and innovative investment mechanisms.

Sustained Capitalization of the African Development Fund

One of the report’s strongest recommendations is for renewed and sustained capitalization of the African Development Fund (ADF)—the AfDB Group’s concessional financing arm. The ADF is vital for Africa’s low-income, fragile, and vulnerable countries, which struggle to access affordable financing under current global conditions.

The report identifies the ADF and the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) as the largest providers of grants and concessional loans to African countries.

The next major milestone is the ADF-17 Replenishment Meeting, to be held in London (15–16 December 2025), where donors will determine funding levels for 2026–2028.

A Paradigm Shift: From Aid Dependency to Investment-Led Growth

The report outlines an important shift in how global partners should engage with Africa. Instead of focusing on traditional aid, the emphasis must move toward:

• Productive investment

• African-led growth strategies

• Continental and regional institution-building

• Mobilization of private capital

This vision places African agency at the heart of development and positions Africa as an emerging driver of global economic growth.

AfDB’s Catalytic Role: Accelerating Africa’s Investment Surge

The report underscores the African Development Bank Group as a central pillar in Africa’s economic transformation.

“Africa needs a surge of productive investment in infrastructure, energy, education, health, and climate resilience.”

It highlights AfDB’s leadership in deploying innovative financing instruments, including:

• Room2Run—a groundbreaking debt-securitization initiative that transfers portfolio risks to the private sector, boosting the Bank’s lending capacity without requiring new capital

• Blended financing facilities

• Sovereign risk-sharing platforms

These innovations expand development finance at scale, helping African countries pursue major infrastructure and social development projects.

Key Recommendations to G20 Leaders

The panel’s recommendations focus on strengthening Africa’s financial stability, empowerment, and long-term resilience:

1. New G20 Debt Service Refinancing Initiative

To provide relief for low-income countries, supported by contributions from official creditors.

2. Establishment of a Borrowers’ Club

To unify the collective voice of borrower nations, support technical capacity, and coordinate debt strategies.

3. Creation of a Transparent Multilateral Debt Resolution Mechanism

To address delays and inconsistencies in the current global debt architecture.

4. Development of National and Regional Growth and Investment Frameworks

To drive structural transformation, industrialization, and job creation.

5. Empowering African Trade and Finance Institutions

Ensuring institutions like AfDB, Afreximbank, and others can scale their support.

6. Strengthening International Tax Cooperation

To combat illicit financial flows and mobilize domestic resources for development.

Shaping the G20 Africa Engagement Framework

The report will inform discussions at the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit and guide the implementation of the G20 Africa Engagement Framework, launched in October during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings.

This framework aims to:

• Boost investment

• Improve debt sustainability

• Strengthen African governance and institutions

• Enhance climate resilience

• Support inclusive and sustainable development

Africa’s Future: A Crossroads of Global Growth

As the world navigates rising geopolitical tensions, climate shocks, and economic uncertainty, the report argues that Africa can and must become a cornerstone of global stability and growth.

With the right investments, strong institutions, and equitable financial partnerships, Africa has the potential to shape global markets, drive innovation, and generate prosperity for generations to come.