ZIMBABWE is taking part in the 2025 Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit, which officially opened on Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa. The country’s participation comes after an invitation extended to His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa by the G20 Chairperson and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to attend the high-level gathering of global economic leaders.
Vice President General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga is leading the Zimbabwean delegation in the absence of President Mnangagwa, representing the nation in what is considered one of the world’s most significant economic fora. The Vice President’s presence underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to engaging in international economic discussions and exploring opportunities for regional integration and cooperation.
The G20 Summit brings together leaders from 19 of the world’s major economies, along with two regional organisations—the European Union and the African Union—to deliberate on policies affecting global growth and development. The forum collectively accounts for over 80 percent of global economic output, more than 70 percent of international trade, and encompasses roughly two-thirds of the world’s population. While Zimbabwe is not a permanent member of the G20, it has been invited as a guest country for the 2025 Summit, highlighting the nation’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement on the continent.
Participation in the Summit offers Zimbabwe a platform to showcase its economic and development priorities, engage in bilateral discussions with world leaders, and promote investment opportunities. The country is expected to explore avenues for deeper regional integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa more broadly, while also contributing to discussions on pressing global economic challenges.
Zimbabwe Participates in 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg
Key issues on the agenda for this year’s G20 Leaders’ Summit include debt sustainability, inclusive economic growth, climate finance, reducing global inequality, and responsible management and utilisation of natural resources. These discussions are particularly relevant for Zimbabwe, a country that continues to navigate economic recovery amid challenges such as currency fluctuations, high debt levels, and the need for sustainable growth initiatives.
Vice President Chiwenga has already begun active engagements with other Summit participants. On Friday evening, ahead of the official opening of the Summit, he held a bilateral discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a G20 dinner hosted at the Johannesburg Convention Centre in Sandton. Such interactions provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties, explore economic and trade collaborations, and position Zimbabwe strategically within regional and global economic conversations.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the Summit is also aimed at highlighting the country’s investment potential and development agenda to a global audience. By engaging with G20 members and invited guest nations, the government seeks to attract foreign investment, secure technical assistance, and explore partnerships that could contribute to infrastructure development, industrialisation, and job creation.
Moreover, the Summit allows Zimbabwe to voice its perspectives on global economic governance and contribute to discussions on issues affecting developing countries. Topics such as climate finance, sustainable resource management, and inclusive economic growth are of particular significance to African nations that are seeking equitable participation in the global economy. Zimbabwe’s input, alongside other invited African countries, is expected to reinforce the importance of addressing regional challenges through collaborative international approaches.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit, convened annually, serves as the permanent forum for international economic cooperation, providing a platform for policy coordination among the world’s largest economies. For Zimbabwe, participation as a guest nation represents a strategic opportunity to engage with both developed and emerging economies, strengthen diplomatic relations, and advocate for policies that support Africa’s development priorities.
As the Summit progresses, Vice President Chiwenga and the Zimbabwean delegation are expected to participate in plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, and side events. These engagements will provide insight into global economic trends, policy innovations, and partnership opportunities that could be applied to Zimbabwe’s ongoing development agenda.
By attending the 2025 G20 Summit, Zimbabwe continues to position itself as an active participant in global economic affairs. While not a formal member, its inclusion among guest nations signals recognition of its potential to contribute to regional and international economic discourse. The outcomes of the Summit are expected to inform national strategies on economic recovery, sustainable growth, and regional integration, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s commitment to shaping a prosperous and inclusive future.
Source- ZBC
