Wadephul backs greater African role in international diplomacy

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has criticized the announcement by US President Donald Trump that South Africa will not be invited to the G20 summit in December in Florida.

Wadephul was speaking at the South African Institute of International Affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, on the last day of his four-day Africa tour. 

He also had separate meetings scheduled with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"To exclude South Africa means sidelining an important African voice and a regional economic and political powerhouse," Wadephul said.

"This can be in no one’s interest. As - particularly at a time of growing global economic uncertainty - we need more cooperation, not less!" he said.

The G20 group of leading industrialized and emerging economies is seen as one of the most important multilateral political formats. South Africa is a founding member.

Trump accuses South Africa of committing genocide against white farmers. Experts and South Africa's government firmly reject this. The US boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg at the end of 2025.

Wadephul: 'crisis of multilateralism'

Multilateral institutions were "under heavy strain," Wadephul said, but some needed changing. 

"In its current structure, the UN no longer reflects the realities of today’s world ... Many countries rightly feel that they are not sufficiently represented ... There can be no genuinely representative United Nations without permanent African representation on the Security Council," he said. 

Wadephul said in his speech that there was a "crisis of multilateralism." 

Economic hub

South Africa is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and, with a trade volume of around €20 billion ($22.8 billion) in 2025, by far Germany's most important economic partner on the African continent. 

With nearly 600 German companies operating there, the country is, in Wadephul's words, a central anchor point for German business in Africa.

Experts say the country also has significant potential for cooperation on raw materials. Since 2025, a raw materials partnership has been in place between the European Union and South Africa.