G7 Misses A Beat on Africa—But South Africa’s G20 is Next
If leadership is a song, it needs a steady drumbeat. This week’s G7 Summit missed a beat—but we can still get back on rhythm.
Held in Alberta, just like in 2002, many hoped this year’s gathering would echo former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s legacy of meaningful global leadership on Africa. But instead of bold ideas or lasting partnerships, the world’s most powerful economies turned inward, at a time when the continent with the greatest potential was barely mentioned.
Africa is not a “cause”. It is a strategic partner and an economic opportunity. Engaging Africa will be essential to deliver on the G7’s new plans around critical minerals, AI, and economic security. Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing workforce, the soon-to-be largest free trade area, and immense mineral reserves.
“While the G7 looked away, China stepped forward, eliminating tariffs for 53 African countries and expanding technical cooperation. New analysis from The ONE Campaign shows China is poised to surpass the entire G7 combined in trade volume with Africa. The gap is growing,” warns Elise Legault, Canada Director at ONE. “If Canada and its G7 allies continue to ignore this trend, they won’t just miss a moral moment, they’ll miss a market.”
Africa is ready for business. The question is: are we?
As the traditional framework for international development shifts rapidly beneath our feet, the G7 has a decision to make: retreat, or lead. And Canada, as this year’s host, must decide what kind of legacy it wants to leave behind. We cannot speak of partnership while flatlining development budgets, offering no new trade tools, and limiting African voices at the table.
The G20 Summit in South Africa this November is the next critical milestone. African leaders and citizens across the continent are watching to see whether Alberta was a start, or a stumble. To be a true partner, we need more than words.
“To be a true partner, we must move beyond rhetoric. A steady drumbeat of engagement, investment, and reform must follow. That means lowering the cost of capital that keeps African entrepreneurs from scaling and slows down investments in energy and critical minerals. It means implementing the Canada-Africa Strategy with clear measurable goals,” continued Elise Legault. “It means expanding tools like FinDev Canada and launching an ambitious Canada-Africa Electricity Partnership. And it means showing up, not just with charity, but when opportunity calls.”
We don’t need another action plan. We need action. The window to lead is closing. Africa is not waiting. Neither should we.
Background:
China is Surging to Surpass the Combined Total of All G7 Trade with Africa