Africa facing ‘perfect storm’ of debt and fiscal squeeze, UN chief warns ahead of G20 summit

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that Africa and much of the developing world are being squeezed by a “perfect storm” of shrinking fiscal space, mounting debt and a global financial system that leaves them on the sidelines.

“Africa has been a double victim of colonialism,” Mr Guterres told the G20 summit. “First through centuries of exploitation and plunder, and then again when international institutions were created – when most African countries were still under colonial rule and their voices were absent from the table.”

Mr Guterres arrived in Johannesburg on Friday for the G20’s first summit on African soil – a meeting intended to put the challenges of poorer nations at the forefront of the global agenda.

Leaders from the G20, which accounts for about 85 per cent of global gross domestic product and roughly two thirds of the world’s population, are meeting this weekend in South Africa.

South Africa is the only African member.

Speaking to reporters, the UN chief said African nations remain “woefully underrepresented” across global financial and governance bodies, including the UN Security Council.

“This must change,” he said, urging the G20 to help “repair this historic injustice” by driving reforms that give developing countries, and Africa in particular, a meaningful voice in setting global rules.

Mr Guterres called for a more inclusive and equitable global governance system, saying the decisions of a handful of powerful states continue to disproportionately shape international institutions.

“Africa must have a fair seat in every forum where decisions are made,” he said.

He also urged the G20 leaders to “superc