Former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has amplified calls for renewed African leadership and accountability during her recent engagements at G20-related events, including the G20 Social Summit and Y20 Summit.
As a co-convenor of the G20 Social Summit, Mlambo-Ngcuka urged African governments, civil society, and business leaders to “take responsibility” for driving the continent’s development. She emphasised that progress will only be achieved when Africans work together with purpose, aligning their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted Africa’s vast natural resources, including arable land and minerals, arguing that the continent’s challenges stem from poor leadership rather than a lack of capacity. She stressed the need for leadership that prioritises sustainability, innovation, and people-centred development.
At a separate engagement, she called on women leaders to help reshape democratic systems inherited from colonial rule, saying Africa needs governance frameworks that reflect the values of Ubuntu and address modern realities.
Addressing young delegates at the Y20 Summit, Mlambo-Ngcuka also warned that the rapidly growing content-creator economy cannot be relied on to solve youth unemployment. She urged young people to pursue opportunities in sectors that build long-term economic resilience, such as infrastructure, technology, and healthcare.
Her interventions across the G20 platforms have been widely viewed as a push to ensure Africa’s priorities feature prominently in global policy discussions.
