South Africa’s President Ramaphosa Endorses Nigeria’s G20 Membership Bid and Proposes Green Energy Collaboration
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has expressed strong support for Nigeria’s bid to join the G20, the group of the world’s largest economies. He emphasized that Nigeria’s inclusion would amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage, which has long been underrepresented in key international economic forums.
President Ramaphosa also revealed his administration’s interest in partnering with Nigeria to develop critical mineral resources, particularly lithium, as part of efforts to advance the global green energy transition. This collaboration, he noted, would facilitate the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and promote industrialization in both nations.
The South African leader made these remarks on Tuesday during the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable in Cape Town. The event coincided with the official launch of South Africa’s presidency of the G20, moments before President Ramaphosa received Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at Tuynhuys. Together, the two leaders co-chaired the 11th Bi-National Commission (BNC) between their countries.
Leveraging Lithium for Green Industrialization
In a statement issued by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ramaphosa outlined a vision for leveraging Nigeria’s extensive lithium reserves as a foundation for industrial growth in the electric vehicle sector. He stressed the need for collaboration between the private sector and development finance institutions to build infrastructure and scale up manufacturing capabilities for green energy initiatives.
“There is significant potential for cooperation in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Our two countries are strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid expansion of clean energy manufacturing industries,” Ramaphosa stated.
He elaborated on South Africa’s Just Transition Framework and Investment Plan, which project significant investments in renewable energy and the green economy over the coming years. Ramaphosa urged both nations to focus on local beneficiation of critical minerals to maximize their value before export, ensuring that the resources contribute to industrialization and economic development within Africa.
“We must work together to process these minerals at their source and ensure they serve as building blocks for green industrialization. I encourage businesses to actively participate in and support these initiatives,” he added.
Advocacy for Nigeria’s G20 Membership
President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s unwavering support for Nigeria’s G20 membership during discussions with President Tinubu and during the expanded meeting of officials at the BNC. He described Nigeria as a “valued sister country” whose participation in the G20 would strengthen Africa’s representation in global economic decision-making.
Currently, South Africa and the African Union (AU) are the continent’s only representatives in the G20. Ramaphosa stressed the importance of admitting other key African countries to the bloc to amplify Africa’s voice in global discussions.
“South Africa has historically been the sole representative of Africa in the G20 until the recent admission of the African Union, which we successfully lobbied for. However, we believe that more key African countries, like Nigeria, should also join. This would ensure that the voice of Africa, a continent often overlooked, is properly heard,” he remarked.
Africa’s Growing Importance in the Global Economy
Ramaphosa emphasized that Africa is poised to become a significant player in the global economy due to its rapidly growing population and untapped potential.
“Africa is on the cusp of being the biggest growth story of the coming decades. Our population is set to grow exponentially, and with it, our influence. It is only fitting that this growing prominence be reflected in global forums like the G20. We want this ‘big noise’ from Africa to be recognized through expanded representation in the group,” he stated.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The meeting between President Ramaphosa and President Tinubu also explored ways to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa across various sectors. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering cooperation, particularly in areas like trade, infrastructure development, and clean energy.
The South African leader concluded by calling on businesses and stakeholders from both nations to seize the opportunities presented by this partnership. He emphasized that collaborative efforts would not only benefit the two nations but also contribute to Africa’s broader economic transformation.
