Day 1: Monday 26 May 2025 (Key Challenges for Africa in a Global Context)

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Prof. Faizel Ismail, Director, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
• Dr. Jan Yves Remy, Co-Lead Remaking Trade Project, University of the West Indies

Session 1: Framing the African Context (AU/AfCFTA)

This session will provide an overview of Africa’s trade and industrialization challenges, exploring how regional and global trade dynamics impact the continent’s economic transformation. It will highlight the role of AfCFTA in advancing more inclusive trade policies and examine how Africa can draw lessons from other Global South economies.

Prof. Faizel Ismail, Director, the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town in conversation with:

• H.E. Lerato Mataboge, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, AU
  
• H.E. Anil Sooklal, Ambassador at Large: Asia and BRICS, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa
• Dr. Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA
• Dr. Tsotesti Makong, Director for coordination and Programs, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

Session 2: Sustainable Industrialization and Inclusive Growth

Industrialization remains a pillar of economic development, but how can Africa ensure sustainability while advancing growth and ensuring greater value added in Africa? This session will examine policies that balance competitiveness, technological progress, and environmental responsibility, and opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses.

Prof. Clara Brandi, Head of Department, Transformation of Economic & Social Systems, IDOS in conversation with:

• Dr. Rob Davies, Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Government of South Africa and member of the AfCFTA Trade and Industrial Development Advisory Council
• Prof. Atul Kaushik, GDC Fellow, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
• Prof Wei Liang, Professor of International Policy, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS)
• Poorva Karkare, Policy Officer, African Economic Integration

Session 3: Nexus between Climate Change and Trade

As governments increasingly implement a variety of trade-related climate measures and policies – ranging from border carbon adjustment measures, through green industrial policies to greenhouse gas emissions standards, subsidies and taxation, and other regulatory measures – this session will discuss how Africa can navigate the intersection of climate change policies and trade regulations. The session will also explore implications for sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and energy, and examine how Africa can enhance resilience and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Christophe Bellmann, Head of Policy Analysis and Strategy, TESS, in conversation with:

• Dr. Sachin Khumar Sharma, Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, India
• Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Head, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
• Mahendra Shunmoogam, Director, International Trade Policy, Department of Trade and Industry, Government of South Africa
• Saliem Fakir, CEO, African Climate Foundation
• Seutame Maimele, Economist: Sustainable Growth, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS)

Keynote Address on Reform Challenges in the New Geopolitical Context

H.E Ms. Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peters, Deputy Director General, Department of Trade and Industry, Government of South Africa; Former Ambassador of South Africa to the WTO

Session 4: Critical Minerals & Extended Value Chains

Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals are vital for the global energy transition, yet most value is captured outside the continent. This session will explore how Africa can move beyond raw material extraction to build competitive manufacturing and processing industries. Discussions will include intra-African collaboration, investment incentives, and sustainable value chain development.

Yasmin Ismail, Senior Policy Advisor, TESS, in conversation with:

• Dr. Clovis Freire, Chief, Commodity Research and Analysis Section, Head a.i. Commodities Branch, UNCTAD
• Dr. Jason Clay, Senior Vice President, World Wildlife Fund
• Michael Smith, Lecturer, the School of Economics UCT, PhD focus on critical minerals
• Dr. Marit Kitaw, Former Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC)

Session 5: The Social Dimensions in Global Governance

This session will examine how women, youth, and grassroots movements are shaping global governance frameworks and advocating for more inclusive, equitable decision-making. It will highlight the transformative potential of their participation in international institutions, trade negotiations, and climate diplomacy. Discussions will focus on strategies to amplify marginalized voices, bridge representation gaps, and strengthen accountability in global systems.

Dr. Tawanda Sachikonye, Research Consultant, in conversation with:

• Afia Agyeman Amponsah-Mensah, Ashesi University, Ghana
• Thembekile Mlangeni, Director in Market Access Negotiations, Department of Trade and Industry, Government of South Africa
• Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei, Third World Network-Africa
• Trenton Elsely, Labour Research Service

Reception

Daniel Mminele, Chairman, Nedbank

Tuesday 27 May 2025 (A Vision for Rebuilding)

Session 6: Trade Reform for Sustainable Development: Debt, Finance and Climate Change

Trade can be a key mechanism for addressing debt challenges and reducing reliance on hard currency borrowing. With one month leading to the United Nations Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), this session will explore innovative trade-finance mechanisms that support the international fiscal reform to mobilize the finance needed for sustainable development. In this regard, what sources of capital should be mobilized – covering regeared international financial institutions, regional development banks, export credit agencies, and local African investments? Discussions will also include engagement with new creditors like China and the Middle East and strategies to strengthen Africa’s financial autonomy.

Prof. Dan Esty, Co-Lead Remaking Trade Project, Yale University, in conversation with:

• Kamal Ramburuth, G20 Project Lead, Institute of Economic Justice
• Dode Seidu, Africa Trade Academy
• Thandolwethu Lukuko, Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty Initiative, Africa Team
• Dipak Patel, Senior Advisor in Climate Finance and Innovation, Presidential Climate Commission, South Africa

Session 7: Vision for Global Governance Reform & Trade System Reform

This session will assess WTO reform efforts and their implications for Africa. Moving beyond the current Geneva-centric debates, it will explore
how trade governance can become more inclusive, responsive, and demand-driven, aligned with sustainable development priorities in Africa and led by African leaders and institutions. The session will examine how trade systems can better integrate climate change, finance, biodiversity, health, and digitalization within the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly the weaponization of trade. The discussion will explore how the global governance framework might be reframed to meet better Africa’s needs and values, and ensure that trade contributes to long-term sustainability and economic resilience. The particular opportunities raised by South Africa’s pivotal role in the G20 will be considered.

Emmanuel Kwabena Owusu Amoah, Ashesi University Ghana, in conversation with:

• Nomalanga Gule, Regional Trade Advisor, Southern and East Africa, AfCFTA Secretariat
• Vahini Naidu, Programme Coordinator, Trade for Development Programme, South Centre
• Mustaqeem De Gama, Independent Consultant

Keynote Address on Digital Opportunities for Africa

Dr. Mzukisi Qobo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the WTO

Session 8: Round table

Dr. Jan Yves Remy in conversation with the audience to share key ideas
and introduce the Statement of Pledge

Closing and Next Steps

Prof. Faizel Ismail and Dr. Jan Yves Remy

The global economy is navigating a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, climate-driven disruptions, and deepening economic disparities. The weaponization of trade, debt vulnerabilities, and evolving multilateral frameworks are reshaping international economic cooperation. These dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for Africa, a continent with immense natural resources, growing markets, and strategic geopolitical importance.

As South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency, it is critical to amplify Africa’s voice in global trade governance and ensure that trade policies are more inclusive, demand-driven, and responsive to the needs of developing nations. In this regard, the Cape Town workshop will focus on how best to strengthen trade as a source of sustainable development, including the potential for regional integration that includes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In addition, the gathering will explore new sources of finance to support economic development and investments in a sustainable future from international financial institutions, as well as domestic capital mobilization.

This workshop will inform policy discussions leading up to the G20 Summit in November 2025, contributing to a broader agenda on trade reform, sustainable industrialization (including the role of small and mid-sized enterprises), sustainable agriculture, and the role of regional institutions in shaping a more equitable global trade system.