In 2025, South Africa will hold the rotating presidency of the G20. Given its position as Africa’s most industrialized nation and an energy hub, South Africa’s leadership could play a pivotal role in attracting investment to the continent’s energy sector. By leveraging its G20 platform, South Africa can push for increased funding from global partners, particularly for natural gas projects, which are critical for Africa’s energy security and economic development.
While renewable energy is rapidly expanding across the continent, Africa continues to rely heavily on coal, oil and natural gas to meet growing demand and drive economic growth. Gas is increasingly viewed as a cleaner transitional fuel in Africa’s energy mix, and many G20 nations are leading investment in gas exploration and production across the continent. For instance, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, U.K. Export Finance, China Development Bank and Japan Bank for International Cooperation, among other lenders, have played a key role in financing TotalEnergies’ $20 billion Mozambique LNG project. Additionally, several G20 countries are driving further investment, with Italy’s Eni developing new LNG facilities in the Republic of Congo, bp expanding operations in Senegal and Mauritania, Norway’s Equinor advancing the Tanzania LNG development and ExxonMobil spearheading Rovuma LNG in Mozambique. South Africa can advocate for G20 nations to increase their financial backing for new gas projects, which have the potential to boost production, enhance energy security and attract much-needed investment to the continent.
While natural gas is essential for Africa’s energy security, combining it with renewable energy sources could help diversify Africa’s energy mix. South Africa’s own experience with large-scale energy projects, such as its successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program, can serve as a model for blending financing and developing both gas and renewable projects. By advocating for mixed investment, South Africa can show G20 nations that supporting a variety of energy sources will allow Africa to meet its energy demands while transitioning toward greener energy.
In addition to advocating for investment in specific projects, South Africa can focus on creating favorable conditions for financing. One way to achieve this is by encouraging the G20 to support debt relief or concessional financing for African countries with high debt burdens. This would free up resources for governments to invest in energy infrastructure and allow them to prioritize projects that will improve energy access and support economic growth. South Africa could work closely with organizations like the World Bank, IFC, BRICS Bank, European Investment Bank and more to unlock financing mechanisms that reduce the risk for international investors.
The role of South Africa’s G20 presidency in facilitating greater engagement between G20 nations and African energy markets cannot be overstated. By using its platform to promote key energy projects, South Africa can attract much-needed investment for both traditional oil and gas and clean energy developments. At the same time, it can help establish new financing structures that make these projects more attractive to investors. African countries like Nigeria, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, Namibia and Mozambique stand to benefit from increased G20 support for their oil and gas sectors, and other African nations can follow suit by aligning their own energy priorities with the goals set forth by South Africa during its presidency.
This year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference in Cape Town serves as a key platform for attracting global attention and investment to Africa’s energy sector, facilitating discussions among G20 nations, financial institutions and energy companies. AEW acts as a conduit for driving investment into critical energy projects, positioning South Africa as a catalyst for sustainable development across the continent while ensuring Africa’s energy needs are met. With South Africa’s G20 presidency presenting a unique opportunity to secure crucial investments in Africa’s energy sector, the 2025 edition of AEW is more significant than ever. By leveraging this platform to advocate for financing and foster partnerships between G20 nations and African energy producers, South Africa can play a pivotal role in advancing the continent’s energy future and contributing to global energy security.
Africa Fact: West African gold mining took place on a vast scale. One modern writer said that: “It is estimated that the total amount of gold mined in West Africa up to 1500 was 3,500 tons, worth more than $30 billion in today’s market.”
Stick Shift
Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do astonishing work.
Easy Mac
A South African, an Australian and an Englishman are all having a drink
The Englishman and South African both drink from Pint Glasses, the Australian from a bottle.
The South African, upon draining his glass, drops in back down on the bar, pulls out a pistol, and shoots the glass.
\”In South Africa, there is so much sand that I never drink from the same glass twice!\”
The Australian, having drained his bottle, sets it down upon the bar and, upon seizing the South African\’s pistol, shoots his bottle.
\”In Australia, there is so much booze that I never drink from the same brand twice!\”
The Englishman, likewise having drained his glass, sets his glass upon the table, seizes the pistol the pistol from the Australian, and shoots the South African and the Australian, quite dead.
\”In England, there are so many of you bastards that I never drink with the same two twice!\”