GLOBAL AFRICA PARTNERSHIPS FORUM & RECEPTION (GAPF 2025)

Africa's growing economic, demographic, and geopolitical weight is reshaping global priorities. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, a combined GDP of $3.9 trillion (World Bank, 2025), and projected annual growth of 4.2%, the continent is a driver of global innovation, renewable energy transition, and trade integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Yet, Africa's progress is constrained by structural challenges: debt levels exceeding $1.7 trillion, climate risks threatening over 60% of the population, and historical inequities rooted in centuries of slavery and colonial exploitation. Although Africa contributes minimally—less than 4%—to global emissions, the continent faces disproportionate consequences, including annual GDP losses of 2–5% and massive climate-related losses and damage estimated at $290–440 billion.

The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member marks a turning point—providing an unprecedented platform for Africa to shape global economic, environmental, and social agendas. The Global Africa Partnerships Forum & Reception (GAPF 2025) will harness this moment, convening alongside the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Cape Town to position Africa as a proactive agenda-setter, not merely a participant.

The Global Africa Partnerships Forum & Reception (GAPF 2025) will leverage the African Union’s historic entry into the G20 as a catalyst to elevate Africa’s influence in shaping global economic, environmental, and social priorities. Taking place alongside the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Cape Town, this premier gathering will convene heads of state, ministers, global investors, innovators, and development leaders to forge high-impact alliances, secure commitments on debt relief, climate justice, and reparations, and unlock opportunities in trade, technology, and sustainable development—positioning Africa as a driving force in building a more inclusive and equitable global order.

Thematic Areas

GAPF 2025 will engage high-level African and global leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators around four key pillars:

Debt Cancellation & Climate Justice

· Advocate for G20-supported comprehensive debt relief and debt-for-climate swaps to free fiscal space for development and resilience building.

· Showcase African-led proposals linking debt restructuring to renewable energy, reforestation, and climate adaptation.

Reparations & Historical Justice

· Advance the African Union and CARICOM-led reparations agenda, framing it as both a moral imperative and a development opportunity.

· Promote concrete frameworks—such as the Global Reparations Fund and cultural restitution initiatives—that channel reparations into education, heritage, and infrastructure.

Amplifying G20 Impact in Africa

· Leverage Africa’s G20 membership to expand digital public infrastructure, industrial value-add, and fair access to trade and investment.

· Advocate for governance reforms in global financial institutions to enhance African representation and fairer terms in global markets.

Digital Transformation & Technological Sovereignty

· Promote initiatives that enhance digital infrastructure, focusing on expanding internet access and digital literacy, to foster innovation and economic growth.

· Collaborate with UNESCO and other partners to promote the development of ethical AI frameworks that align with Africa's development goals, ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly and inclusively.

Event Objectives

Elevate Africa’s Strategic Positioning in the G20

· Position Africa as a driver of policy innovation, economic partnerships, and global problem-solving within the G20 framework.

Secure Commitments for High-Impact Partnerships

· Generate tangible agreements on debt relief, climate finance, reparations funding, and infrastructure investment.

Shape the Global Narrative on Reparative Justice

· Build international consensus on reparations as a pathway to address historical inequities and unlock sustainable development.

Mobilize Capital and Technology Transfer

· Facilitate investment commitments in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience projects.

Strengthen Africa’s Negotiating Leverage

· Equip African leaders, through shared strategies and unified messaging, to influence G20 decision-making and secure long-term gains.

Key Highlights of the Summit

• High-Level Plenary: Keynote addresses and panel discussions with heads of state, ministers, CEOs, and global institutional leaders.
• Partnership Roundtables: Thematic sessions on debt restructuring, reparations frameworks, and industrial policy alignment.
• Recognition Ceremony: Honouring exceptional African and global leaders driving transformative impact.
• Networking Reception: Exclusive space for direct engagement between policymakers, investors, and innovators.

Expected Outcomes

• Policy Commitments: Agreements or joint statements advancing African positions on debt, climate, and reparations.
• Investment Deals: Announcements of new investments or partnerships in strategic sectors.
• Advocacy Momentum: Strengthened AU-G20 collaboration on Africa’s development priorities.
• Visibility: Global media coverage reinforcing Africa’s leadership role in shaping inclusive, equitable global governance.