South Africa will step back from taking part in G20 meetings during the United States presidency of the forum, the country’s finance minister has confirmed.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said South Africa would not be able to attend G20 events hosted by the United States because it would not receive official accreditation. He described the move as a “temporary setback”.
The decision follows an announcement by US president Donald Trump in November that South Africa would not be invited to US-hosted G20 meetings. The United States will take over the presidency of the G20 in 2026.
Godongwana said South Africa was not leaving the G20 and had not been removed from the group. Instead, he said, the country would be unable to take part in meetings held in the United States because access is controlled by the host country.
“This is not because the Americans can chase us out of the G20,” Godongwana said. “They hold an important instrument: the accreditation. If you don’t have the accreditation, you can’t get into the venue.”
South Africa became the first African country to chair the G20 in 2025, a role that gave it greater influence in setting the group’s agenda. During its presidency, South Africa focused on issues such as debt relief for developing countries, climate finance and economic growth in the global south.
Tensions between South Africa and the United States have grown in recent months. President Trump has repeatedly claimed that white South Africans are being targeted for violence and discrimination, including claims of a “white genocide”. These claims have been widely rejected by South African authorities and international observers.
The South African government has said there is no evidence to support Trump’s statements. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the comments as false and misleading, and has defended South Africa’s constitution and legal system.
Godongwana said the US decision would affect South Africa’s ability to attend G20 meetings linked to finance and economic policy, including those held alongside meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington.
However, he said South Africa would continue to take part in other international forums and would remain committed to global cooperation.
He also said Africa’s interests would still be represented at the G20 through the African Union, which became a permanent member of the group in 2023. The African Union represents 55 countries on the continent.
“I believe Africa’s voice will still be heard,” Godongwana said.
Looking ahead, Godongwana said he did not expect South Africa to face similar problems under future G20 presidencies. He said he believed the United Kingdom, which is due to take over the G20 presidency in 2027, would not exclude South Africa from meetings.
The G20 is made up of 19 countries, plus the European Union and the African Union. Its members represent around 85% of the world’s economic output and about two-thirds of the global population.
South Africa is the only African country that is a full member of the G20 in its own right, in addition to the African Union’s membership.
Despite the dispute with the United States, South Africa is continuing to promote itself as a destination for investment. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, government officials are holding meetings with business leaders and investors.
Godongwana said South Africa remains open for business and is working to improve economic growth, reduce unemployment and stabilise public finances.
South Africa is also preparing to host a special World Economic Forum Africa summit in April next year, which the government hopes will bring attention to economic issues facing the continent and attract new investment.
While South Africa’s absence from US-hosted G20 meetings is expected to last only for the duration of the American presidency, the situation has raised questions about how political disputes between member states can affect the work of global institutions.
For now, South African officials say the country will focus on maintaining its international partnerships and preparing to return fully to the G20 when conditions allow.
Discussion about this post