President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the G20 Africa Expert Panel on Debt Sustainability, Cost of Capital and Financing Reforms at Tuynhuys in Cape Town. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and members of the expert panel led by former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.
The Expert Panel was established by President Ramaphosa at the start of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to strengthen Africa’s voice in global financial reform. The group’s mandate focuses on developing practical recommendations that the G20 can adopt to help address Africa’s growing debt challenges, improve access to affordable financing, and reform international financial systems.
Discussions during the meeting explored mechanisms to enhance the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments, which aims to provide fair, timely, and transparent debt restructuring for low- and middle-income countries. President Ramaphosa emphasised that the work of the panel is central to ensuring that global debt management frameworks support inclusive economic recovery, sustainable growth, and financial stability across the continent.
The President also noted that addressing high borrowing costs and limited fiscal space remains essential for African countries to invest in infrastructure, health, and education—key areas for long-term development.
The meeting forms part of South Africa’s broader G20 agenda, which prioritises debt relief, climate finance, and equitable access to capital for developing economies under the theme “A Better Africa, A Better World.”