A pedestrian walks past a G20 summit logo installed along a street in New Delhi on September 6, 2023. AFP
The official announcement is anticipated to take place during this weekend’s G20 summit in India, as reported by Bloomberg.
The decision will elevate the 55-member African Union from its current designation as an "invited international organization."
This move is part of a broader effort to give African countries a stronger voice on global issues such as climate change and emerging-market debt, particularly as emerging markets in the so-called Global South take on a more prominent role in world affairs.
Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the host of this year's G20 summit, underscored the importance of highlighting the concerns of the developing world.
He formally proposed that the African Union be granted permanent membership in the G20 during the Business 20 Summit held in New Delhi in August.
“We have a vision of inclusiveness and with that vision, we have invited the African Union to become permanent members of the G20,” Modi said as he addressed the summit.
The G20, representing the world's major economies, currently consists of 19 countries and the European Union, accounting for approximately 85 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world population.
South Africa is the sole African member among these nations.
The African Union, founded in 2002 following the dissolution of the Organisation of African Unity, is headquartered in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia and encompasses all 55 African countries, representing a population of 1.4 billion people.
In July, the European Council reaffirmed its support for Africa's bid to join the G20.
“In line with commitments on multilateralism made at the EU-AU Summit … the European Council supports the African Union's [AU] reinforced presence in international forums, notably in the G20," a statement issued at one of the EU Council body of advisors meeting said.
Furthermore, US President Joe Biden said in December that he wanted the African Union to join the G20 as a permanent member, adding that it had "been a long time in coming, but it is going to come."
On Tuesday, Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reiterated that stance when discussing the US priorities for the New Delhi summit.
"We are also looking forward to warmly welcoming the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 – the newest permanent member. We believe that the African Union's voice will make the G20 stronger," Sullivan said at a White House briefing.
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