Tinubu to attend key global summits in South Africa, Angola

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu will embark on a significant two-nation diplomatic trip this week, attending the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, followed by the 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola.

A statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed that departing Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu’s first engagement will be the G20 Summit, held from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.

The summit, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” gathers leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the African Union and the European Union. It will cover critical issues such as “Inclusive and Sustainable Growth,” addressing trade, financing for development, climate change, disaster risk reduction, food systems, and technologies like artificial intelligence.

Invited by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently leads the G20, and previously by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Tinubu is expected to use the platform to advance Nigeria’s agenda.

According to Onanuga, he will hold “bilateral meetings in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as to discuss regional and international peace, security, and development.”

After the G20 Summit, President Tinubu will proceed to Angola for the AU-EU Summit from November 24 to 25, where African and European leaders, innovators, and civil society organizations will discuss shared challenges.

Topics will include “climate change, inclusivity in development, infrastructure, the digital economy, the creative industry, manufacturing, and agribusiness.”

Tinubu will travel with key government officials, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Trade and Investment, Solid Minerals, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The President is scheduled to return to Nigeria once these engagements conclude.