Throughout 2025, Africa stood at the centre of major global and regional developments, with geopolitical realignments, deepening security crises and cautious economic recovery shaping the continent’s trajectory. From diplomatic milestones to escalating conflicts, the year underscored both Africa’s growing global influence and its persistent structural challenges.
1. South Africa makes history with G20 Presidency
South Africa made history in 2025 by becoming the first African country to host and preside over the G20, a milestone widely viewed as a symbolic breakthrough for the Global South. Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” Pretoria used its leadership role to amplify African and developing-world concerns on the global stage.
Key priorities included debt relief for low-income countries, climate financing, disaster preparedness, and a Just Energy Transition that balances development needs with environmental commitments. The summit reinforced Africa’s demand for a more inclusive global financial system and greater representation in international decision-making forums.
2. Sudan war and Sahel instability deepen humanitarian crisis
The conflict in Sudan remained one of the world’s gravest humanitarian emergencies in 2025. Fighting between rival military factions intensified, further fragmenting the country and displacing more than 12 million people, while famine-like conditions worsened in Darfur and other regions.
At the same time, insecurity across the Sahel — particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — escalated as militant Islamist violence increased under military-led governments. Relations between these junta-led states and regional bloc ECOWAS deteriorated sharply, weakening collective security frameworks and raising fears of prolonged instability across West and Central Africa.
3. Eastern DRC conflict fuels regional tensions
Violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) surged in early 2025 after the M23 rebel group seized several strategic towns and cities. The renewed fighting displaced thousands and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
Tensions escalated further amid allegations that Rwanda and Uganda were backing the rebels, claims both countries denied, straining diplomatic relations in the Great Lakes region. Despite ongoing mediation efforts led by African and regional bodies, the crisis exposed the fragility of peace initiatives in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
4. Fragile economic recovery and debt pressures
Despite global economic uncertainty, African economies showed signs of measured recovery in 2025. Growth across the continent was projected to rise from 3.4% in 2024 to 3.7%, supported by easing inflation, selective interest rate cuts, and improved commodity performance in some countries.
However, sovereign debt remained a major concern, with several governments grappling with high borrowing costs and repayment obligations. Efforts to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continued, though progress remained uneven as infrastructure gaps and policy coordination challenges persisted.
5. Global power shifts reshape Africa’s foreign relations
Africa’s external partnerships underwent renewed scrutiny in 2025 following Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, prompting uncertainty over future US-Africa relations. Concerns emerged around potential reductions in development aid, a more transactional diplomatic approach, and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
At the same time, the BRICS bloc continued to gain traction on the continent. Egypt and Ethiopia formally participated as new members, reflecting Africa’s growing interest in alternative economic and political partnerships beyond traditional Western allies.
