Five things to know about Africa's first G20

LEADERS of the world’s largest economies will meet in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23 for the G20 summit, the first of its kind in Africa.

- AFP

Here are five things to know about the annual meeting, which is taking place at a time of heightened global instability and tensions between Pretoria and Washington.

First in Africa

Founded in 1999, the Group of 20 (G20) leading economies comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union (AU).

Its rotating presidency will be held by South Africa this year and marks the first time the summit will be in Africa.

G20 members represent 85% of the world’s GDP and about two-thirds of its population.

South Africa is the only member state from the continent, although the AU was admitted as a group in 2023.

Its theme is “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”

Ranked by the World Bank as “the world’s most unequal country”, South Africa commissioned an expert team to analyse global wealth inequality and offer solutions to the summit.