The 20th edition of the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders’ Summit took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 22 and 23, with Heads of State and Government and international organizations in attendance. The Summit saw high-level deliberations on topics of job creation, economic growth, disaster risk management, trade, financing for development, and artificial intelligence, among others. At the invitation of the South African President and G20 President for 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali had a successful participation in the Summit leading a high-level delegation.
The Summit endorsed the Leaders’ Declaration covering a range of issues including disaster resilience and response, debt sustainability, just energy transitions, critical minerals, inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment and reduced inequality, food security, artificial intelligence, and fostering equitable global governance.
In his Summit address, Prime Minister Abiy elaborated on Ethiopia’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, industrial park development, and renewable energy generation. He underscored the mounting challenges that demand investing in renewable energy, agriculture development and digital infrastructure. Assuring Ethiopia’s readiness to contribute to the shared global economic journey, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted the three priorities of sustainable debt relief, climate, energy and digital transformation.
The Prime Minister also participated in the high-level G20 Compact with Africa, which saw the participation of leaders of African countries, G20 members, and international organizations. In his address, he underscored the importance of policy reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability and restore confidence. He elaborated on the reform measures in Ethiopia in the monetary and financial systems. He also explained the successes in the fields of renewable energy investments and capital markets. The The premier recommended that the Compact should give prior focus to accelerating transformation at scale through genuine partnership, expanded guarantees, blended finance, and timely and predictable debt relief.
The G20 Compact with Africa supports countries to enhance their investment climate and economic growth through policy reforms.Ethiopiajoined the Compact in June 2017. Angola and Zambia are admitted into the Compact at the high-level event.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held bilateral meetings with leaders of 16 countries and six regional and international organizations.