As the G20 approaches in November, great time and effort needs to be put into aligning the Global South, not just to blanket Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on the weaknesses of the Global South and Africa in particular, but to cultivate these weaknesses into strengths. On the back of the different G20 task Forces, there seems to be some understanding of this. South Africa’s G20 presidency is thus an important one, as it represents Africa at large.
Sustainable Development Goals
A commendable cause and acknowledgement that as wealthy as the world has become after World War II. Many in the Global South have been excluded from the benefit of this wealth, be it due to historic injustices or the perpetuating of injustice in new forms. The SDGs thus focuses on alleviating the basic human needs with an important mission to alleviate poverty, where more than 700 million people live on less than $2.15 US dollars per day.
Although a lot of progress has been made alleviating extreme poverty, the overall goal of alleviating poverty has slowed drastically over the years. This calls for a more refined approach.
South Africa & Africa at large
South Africa, holder of the 2025 G20 presidency, has a population of approximately 64 million people. Of this approximately 40 million are of working age, half of which represents the youth. Around 50% of those aged 15-35 are unemployed. This paints a grim picture for the youth of South Africa.
Africa’s population stands at roughly 1.4 billion, making it the world’s youngest continent, with about 73% of its people under the age of 35. Within this group, the youth population (15–34 years) represents about half of all working-age Africans, reflecting a rapidly expanding demographic that will define the continent’s economic future.
However, employment opportunities remain limited, only about 53% of African youth are employed, meaning roughly 47% are either unemployed or not actively participating in the labour market. Youth unemployment rates vary widely across countries, reaching 30–50% in some middle-income African states, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive growth, industrialisation, and policy innovation to harness Africa’s demographic dividend.
The G20 Task Forces:
Task Force 1: Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality
Combining both equality as espoused by the SDGs and the need for economic growth beyond charity. This Task Force promotes sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth (SSBIG) by aligning policy across economic and industrial spheres, emphasising youth employment, closing the gender-gap, reducing inequality and integrating climate-responsible industrialisation strategies. The mandate covers strengthening the conditions for inclusive growth and supporting globally fair industrialisation, embedding employment-creation and equality into the G20’s economic agenda.
Task Force 2: Food Security
This Task Force focuses on ensuring a more resilient, fair and sustainable global food system. Key priorities include stable food prices, clear regulations and standards, and the adoption of a G20 Action Plan for Food Security. It brings together policy-makers to address trade barriers, climate impacts on agriculture and inclusive access to agrifood systems, especially in vulnerable countries.
Task Force 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development
Guiding the G20 on harnessing AI and data-governance frameworks, this Task Force supports sustainable development, inclusive digital transformation and innovation ecosystems. It emphasises digital public infrastructure, inclusive connectivity, and equitable, just deployment of AI technologies to support MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and to bridge global digital divides.
Altogether these task forces take us into the right direction. Particularly, Task Force 3, a differentiated path from normal SDG influenced criteria. It guides those of us in the Global South to take advantage of the opportunities provided through technology and combatting economic exclusion from development in AI and digitalisation.
The trajectory is clear: the future of the Global South is inextricably linked to the potential of its youth. The G20 task forces, particularly through their focus on inclusive growth, food security, and technological innovation, provide a crucial blueprint for moving beyond charity towards empowerment. The true test lies in transforming these frameworks from aspirational dialogue into tangible action. To avoid this moment becoming another missed opportunity, the path forward must be paved with robust public-private partnerships. Such collaborations are essential to channel investment, foster innovation, and create the ecosystems where young entrepreneurs and workers can thrive by strategically investing in its youth. The Global South, led by voices like South Africa at the G20, needs to shift the narrative from vulnerability to opportunity, turning its greatest potential into its most profound power.
Written By
Cole Jackson
Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Chinese & South American Specialist
** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE https://bricscg.com/
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ask Force 3: Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development
Guiding the G20 on harnessing AI and data-governance frameworks, this Task Force supports sustainable development, inclusive digital transformation and innovation ecosystems. It emphasises digital public infrastructure, inclusive connectivity, and equitable, just deployment of AI technologies to support MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and to bridge global digital divides.
Altogether these task forces take us into the right direction. Particularly, Task Force 3, a differentiated path from normal SDG influenced criteria. It guides those of us in the Global South to take advantage of the opportunities provided through technology and combatting economic exclusion from development in AI and digitalisation.
The trajectory is clear: the future of the Global South is inextricably linked to the potential of its youth. The G20 task forces, particularly through their focus on inclusive growth, food security, and technological innovation, provide a crucial blueprint for moving beyond charity towards empowerment. The true test lies in transforming these frameworks from aspirational dialogue into tangible action. To avoid this moment becoming another missed opportunity, the path forward must be paved with robust public-private partnerships. Such collaborations are essential to channel investment, foster innovation, and create the ecosystems where young entrepreneurs and workers can thrive by strategically investing in its youth. The Global South, led by voices like South Africa at the G20, needs to shift the narrative from vulnerability to opportunity, turning its greatest potential into its most profound power.
Written By
Cole Jackson
Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Chinese & South American Specialist
** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE https://bricscg.com/
** Follow https://x.com/brics_daily on X/Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates
