The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), through its Futures Programme, attended the Y20 Pre-Summit to amplify African youth voices in global governance. The team contributed actively to thematic discussions, ensuring that the long-term aspirations and systemic concerns of young Africans were highlighted as central to informing the conversations.
Key Contributions at the Pre-Summit
- Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, South Africa’s G20 Sous-Sherpa, underscored the Y20’s role as the oldest G20 engagement group (established in 2010) and urged it to drive meaningful change, from grassroots initiatives to global institutions.
- Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former chairperson of the AU Commission, delivered the keynote address, calling on African youth to harness education and skills development as the ‘fastest equaliser’ in the struggle against inequality, and to propel sustainable ocean and mineral economies.
- Cross-Group Solidarity from Business20, Women20 and Civil Society20 reaffirmed a shared commitment to intergenerational cooperation, while highlighting the gap between aspirational rhetoric and the realities of accessible participation.
SAIIA Side Event Proposed to Broaden Youth Participation in Y20 Processes
Off-the-record conversations with delegates, organisers and working-group chairs allowed the Futures Programme to press for openness and broader inclusion. The need for a follow-up event after the Pre-Summit was emphasised. The Futures Programme has formally proposed a dedicated side event in August 2025 to the Y20 Secretariat. Pending approval from the organisers, this side event will:
- Build broad consensus: The closed-door format of Pre-Summit meetings meant that many delegates could not secure a mandate from broader constituencies. Our proposed side event will convene our wide network of research participants – the youth groups whose lived experiences and perspectives form the core of our recent studies – to co-design policy responses and needed actions with clear, collective buy-in.
- Elevate inclusivity: By deploying participatory approaches such as strategic foresight and systems methods, we will capture real-time insights from across Africa, moving beyond token representation to inclusive, data-driven policy proposals.
- Translate visibility into influence: Shining a light on youth issues is only the first step. Our August event will produce SAIIA blog posts based on our extensive research on Youth Futures in Africa that can feed directly into the final Y20 South Africa declaration, ensuring that recommendations are relevant in terms of lived experience and rigorous analysis.
Looking Ahead
The Futures Programme remains committed to advancing the Y20 agenda in a manner that truly reflects African youth agency. Our proposed August side event will not only advance the aims of the Pre-Summit inclusively but also model the participatory approach that young Africans deserve, ensuring that their voices shape the G20 policy process from inception through implementation. Watch this space for the formal invitation and programme details. Together, we can move from tokenistic inclusion to genuine partnership and forge a G20 agenda driven by the expertise and aspirations of Africa’s future generations.
