South Africa has invited Nigeria to host a key G20 event in Abuja, its capital, a move seen as strengthening cooperation between the continent’s two largest economies. The offer was extended by South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, to his Nigerian counterpart, according to a report by Africa Intelligence.
The invitation comes as South Africa prepares to host the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg this November, featuring the world’s top 19 economies, alongside the European Union and African Union.
Although the specific event Nigeria will host is yet to be announced, it marks Nigeria’s most direct involvement in the G20 to date. While Nigeria is not a permanent G20 member, it has participated as a guest under past presidencies — most recently during India’s 2023 chairmanship and earlier under former President Muhammadu Buhari through initiatives like the G20 Compact with Africa.
As this year’s G20 president, South Africa is spotlighting digital public infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence, and broader global cooperation amid a shifting geopolitical climate.
However, the summit’s preparations are being overshadowed by growing controversy. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to boycott the event, citing unverified claims of land confiscation and violence against white farmers in South Africa.
“They are taking the land of white farmers, and then killing them and their families,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The United States has held back all contributions to South Africa.”
Earlier this year, Trump suspended U.S. financial aid to South Africa and, in March, expelled the South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, accusing him of “race baiting.”
In response, a spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said they no longer expected Trump to attend the summit, calling his statements a “smokescreen” and accusing him of using controversy to deflect from criticism over his recently announced global tariffs, which some analysts view as economic sabotage.
Despite the tensions, Nigeria’s new role in the G20 process is being welcomed as a sign of rising influence and continental collaboration.
