African Union needs a permanent seat at G-20, ministers say

Bloomberg

The African Union should have a permanent seat at the Group of 20 leading economies to give the continent more say as it struggles with the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine, according to three ministers from the region.
Representation at the G-20 will bolster the continent’s engagement with the group at a time when soaring energy and grain prices threaten to tip poor nations over the brink, according to a letter signed by the economy and finance ministers of Senegal, Ghana and Egypt last week.
“Having Africa as a member through the African Union, will strengthen the G-20,” according to a copy of the letter seen by Bloomberg and addressed to the group’s finance ministers and central bankers. “Increasing the continent’s representation in the G-20 deliberations will allow for continuity and a more responsive engagement,” Senegalese Economy Minister Amadou Hott, Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said.
The continent should be represented in the G-20, just as the EU is with its presidency, African Union spokesperson Ebba Kalondo said in an emailed comment. “Africans should be fully represented at the world’s key decision forums, not just observers,” Kalondo said.