G20 in Johannesburg: UK and Germany Forge New Partnerships Under South Africa’s Presidency
As South Africa hosts its first-ever G20 summit, the UK pivots its aid strategy while Germany deepens ties with the Global South
November 21st, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa, Leaders and ministers from the world’s major economies have descended on Johannesburg for the 2025 G20 Summit, marking the first time the G20 is held on African soil. Under South Africa’s presidency, the summit carries the motto “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The country has held over 130 preparatory meetings across the nation to ensure the summit reflects African priorities while offering a global platform for dialogue.
At the meeting of G20 development ministers, the United Kingdom unveiled a significant shift in its international development policy. Baroness Chapman, the UK’s Development Minister, announced that London is moving away from traditional aid models toward long-term investment partnerships. Rather than simply providing grants, the UK plans to mobilise private capital and innovative financing to help countries “exit the need for aid,” she said. British International Investment is already backing projects on the ground, such as a macadamia farm in Mbombela that is creating jobs, expanding across Africa, and mitigating climate risks. Baroness Chapman also highlighted illicit financial flows, warning that “dirty money” siphoned out of developing countries undermines growth and stability a message she intends to press with other G20 nations.
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil attended the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Durban, emphasising Berlin’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with the Global South. A key part of Germany’s agenda is the Compact with Africa initiative, which Berlin helped launch under its previous G20 presidency. Klingbeil met with German businesses operating in South Africa, underlining Germany’s strategy to boost private investment in African infrastructure and trade. On the diplomatic front, Germany’s Minister of State Katja Keul reaffirmed Berlin’s support for South Africa’s presidency and its agenda, calling on G20 nations to uphold international law and institutions amid global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
For South Africa, hosting the G20 is more than symbolic. The government expects the summit to generate substantial economic momentum through increased demand for goods, services, and infrastructure. Johannesburg has become a focal point for wider global debates, including climate transition, debt management, and multilateral reform, demonstrating Africa’s growing influence on the world stage.
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Not all G20 members are aligned on key issues, and Germany’s Keul highlighted ongoing conflicts, urging a renewed commitment to peace and international law within the G20 framework. From the UK’s perspective, the shift to a partnership-based development model raises questions about effectiveness, influence, and long-term impact, while Germany must balance its ambition to scale up African investment with the complex realities of global competition and governance risks. The Johannesburg summit, however, represents a historic opportunity for the UK, Germany, and South Africa to shape a more collaborative and inclusive global economic future.
