**Fatshimetrie: A Critical Look at South Africa’s G20 Presidency**
When South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency, a wind of change blew across the international stage. As the first African country to lead this influential forum, South Africa faces a historic and critical responsibility: to redefine global priorities to address the historical and structural injustices that continue to plague the African continent.
It is imperative for Africa not to replicate the extractive economic model that has destroyed our ecosystems and led to food and energy insecurity, poverty, socio-economic exclusion, conflict, and economic and ecological destruction. Since colonial times, African economies have been marginalized at the bottom of the global value chain. Africa can no longer simply provide cheap raw materials to fuel the industrial development of others while fighting a climate emergency.
South Africa’s G20 presidency offers a unique opportunity to recalibrate Africa’s energy and development strategies in light of the current and ongoing climate collapse. The pressing question, then, is: what should South Africa prioritise to reshape the global energy narrative?
**Bridge the Global Divide**
Climate change disproportionately affects nations in the Global South, where limited resources and infrastructure exacerbate vulnerability. South Africa must seize this unique opportunity to advocate for increased climate finance, especially since climate finance is not an act of charity, but a moral obligation, a responsibility rooted in historical responsibility for the crisis we face today.
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about the continent’s debt burden at the launch of the G20 presidency. It is worth noting that African countries continue to struggle with endless cycles of sovereign debt crises that weaken their economic and monetary sovereignty, reduce the policy space needed to address national priorities such as health, education, infrastructure and other public services.
This process also forces African countries to accept punitive loan conditions that weaken the state, harm the most vulnerable and lock them into increased dependence on external financing. South Africa can redirect its investments to address the systemic deficiencies facing the continent. Failure to seize this opportunity risks becoming complicit in the cycle of growing debt, dependency and climate collapse.
Climate negotiations have historically resembled an uneven boxing match, with Africa entering the ring bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, while the global North, a historical emissions heavyweight, shirks its obligations. Despite repeated promises of support, wealthier countries leave developing countries to fight with little more than resilience as their only protection.
South Africa’s own journey towards an equitable energy transition is a microcosm of the broader challenges and opportunities facing developing countries. As one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of coal, the country must ensure energy security and economic stability while reducing its carbon footprint.
South Africa can therefore advocate for accountability and clarity on these commitments. In addition, it can advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources to finance energy transitions that do not reproduce systems of inequality, increased debt and exploitative energy models.
**Financial reform, technology transfer and energy equity**
The current climate finance architecture does not favour developing nations. High-interest loans, red tape and preconditions often discourage countries that need support the most. In addition, South Africa can work towards debt relief measures linked to climate action, to ensure that nations are not forced to choose between repaying debts and investing in sustainable development.
South Africa’s presidency could therefore prioritise advocating for reform of the global financial architecture to make finance more accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of the Global South. Proposals such as the creation of a dedicated G20 fund for climate resilience and renewable energy projects could usher in a new era of proactive climate leadership.
Africa is rich with renewable energy potential, from solar to wind and geothermal reserves, but it remains one of the least electrified regions, leaving millions of people without access to modern energy. South Africa’s G20 presidency is an opportunity to promote increased investment in renewable energy. Using this platform, South Africa can advocate for technology transfer agreements to empower African nations to build and sustain