G20 is Africa's chance to reframe economic priorities globally

What is clear is that Africa cannot afford to be passive

- ADEOYE O. AKINOLA

IN THE contemporary dispensation of mounting global economic uncertainty and geopolitical realignment, Africa's voice in shaping the rules of international finance remains marginal.

Its relegation to the background within the global financial architecture remains concerning despite its vast resources, youthful population, and growing strategic significance.

A recent high-level symposium titled “G20 and the Reform of Global Financial Governance: Locating Africa’s Priorities’, convened by the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) in collaboration with TrustAfrica (Dakar) and the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), brought together leading West African policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and development experts to reflect on Africa's place in, and its hopes for, a more inclusive global financial system.

Organised into eight targeted sessions, the symposium moved beyond diagnosing problems to charting actionable solutions. Its core objectives were threefold:

+ To identify key reforms and define Africa's priorities - such as debt justice, fair representation, and equitable access to finance;

+ To facilitate dialogue among African policymakers, academics, civil society, and global financial institutions for stronger, coordinated advocacy; and

« To produce concrete policy recommendations for the G20, IME, and World Bank.

At its heart, the symposium aimed to translate African perspectives into practical strategies and ensure they are firmly embedded in both policymaking processes and broader global economic conversations.