Despite the controversy, 42 countries and international institutions have confirmed participation at the high-level talks taking place November 22–23 at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre.
U.S. President Trump has refused to attend and claimed — without evidence — that South Africa mistreats its white minority. Washington’s absence comes even as the U.S. is expected to assume the rotating G20 presidency from South Africa at the end of the month. Pretoria says it will proceed with a symbolic handover even if the chair remains empty.
Diplomatic friction ahead of the summit
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the U.S. had reached out privately to discuss limited participation, but the White House sharply denied this. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused Ramaphosa of “running his mouth,” insisting the U.S. boycott remains unchanged.
She later noted that an American official might attend solely for the ceremonial handover, but no confirmation has been issued.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg has undergone an extensive security and clean-up operation. More than 3,500 additional police have been deployed, with the army on standby. Streets have been decorated with banners featuring global leaders as delegations arrive from across the world.
Who’s attending?
South Africa says attendance is strong despite a few notable absences. Confirmed participants include:
• China’s Premier Li Qiang
• France’s President Emmanuel Macron
• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
• Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
• Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
• Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
• Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
• Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney
• Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Senior leaders from the African Union, European Union, and the United Nations will also attend.
Several heads of state are absent but sending representatives, including China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, Argentina’s Javier Milei, and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum.
Why is the U.S. boycotting?
Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa of “discriminating” against white citizens and has claimed, without evidence, that a “genocide” is taking place. Pretoria dismisses the allegations as false and politically motivated.
Relations between the two countries have been strained throughout the year. In February, the Trump administration cut U.S. foreign aid to South Africa, sparking concerns about impacts on the country’s HIV/AIDS programs.
Ramaphosa warned that boycotts “never really work” and described the U.S. decision as “their loss,” while expressing hope that diplomatic ties can be repaired.
What’s on the agenda?
As host, South Africa is pushing a Global South-focused agenda, centering on:
• Reducing global economic inequality
• Increasing funding for climate adaptation
• Strengthening disaster-response mechanisms
• Expanding climate finance from wealthier to vulnerable countries
• Improving debt restructuring and relief for poorer nations
• Ensuring fair access to critical minerals, many of which are located in Africa
Analysts say the summit represents a major moment for Africa, particularly as the African Union participates as a full G20 member for only the second year.
Protests across South Africa
Multiple demonstrations have been organized around the summit:
• Women for Change held a nationwide shutdown to protest South Africa’s high rates of gender-based violence and femicide.
• Climate and wealth-inequality groups launched an alternative summit criticizing the G20 as elitist.
• Solidarity, a group representing some white Afrikaners, is protesting alleged discrimination through controversial billboards.
• Operation Dudula, known for its anti-immigration stance, staged protests over unemployment and poverty.
South African police say protests are allowed but must comply with legal guidelines.