G7 Summit 2023: Africa demands seat at global table as nations eye its resources

As the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy democracies converge for a summit in Japan, winds of change are blowing for Africa, which has so far been more of a discussion topic rather than an active participant in international politics, but is now demanding its rightful place in global dialogues and decision-making processes.

Leaders of seven of the world’s most powerful and wealthy democracies — the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan (and the EU also attends) — have gathered for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, this weekend (19-21 May). Africa, a continent rich in human and natural resources that houses 1.3 billion people, has been historically sidelined in global dialogues and decision-making. While the G7 Summit prides itself on its efforts to address global challenges, including climate change, economic inequality, global health crises, and security threats, the grouping has been increasingly criticized for excluding Africa from these important discussions. The African Union’s Trade Commissioner, Albert M. Muchanga, has recently denounced the Western attitudes to Africa, saying that the continent will not accept that it “should just continue to be a source of raw materials“ for the rest of the world.

The International Crisis Group (ICG), a Brussels-based NGO, has recently set forth its ‘Seven Priorities for the G7 in 2023’, emphasizing that Africa’s place is at the table, contributing insights, sharing experiences, and playing an active role in formulating solutions. In particular, it argues that “the G7’s leaders need to consider how their messages may go down with various audiences, not only in the West but also in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.“ While the G7 has long maintained an Africa-related agenda prioritizing the building of economic ties with the continent, African leaders have now been increasingly vocal about the need for reform of the IMF and World Bank decision-making bodies, and called to have a formal seat at G7 Summits. Therefore, the ICG calls on the G7 leaders to consider granting Africa a permanent membership in the G20 – something African countries have demanded in the past, and the US endorsed in 2022 – which would be a good first step.