By Maxime Houinato, Socio-economist and Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa
How Africa’s voice within the G20 can accelerate progress for women and girls and why the role of West and Central Africa is crucial
The permanent membership of the African Union in the G20, alongside South Africa, marks a historic milestone for the continent. It provides a new platform to influence global decisions and align them with African priorities. The impact of this representation will be measured by the concrete results achieved for women and girls — especially in West and Central Africa, where they are drivers of economic resilience, social cohesion, and innovation.
The G20 represents over 80% of the global GDP and the majority of international trade. Its agenda on finance, climate action, digital transformation, and jobs directly impacts Africa’s future. With the presence of the African Union in G20 forums, the continent can contribute to shaping these priorities and ensure that global governance reflects its realities. For gender equality, this moment represents an opportunity to advance both the Agenda 2030 and Africa’s Agenda 2063 through coordinated regional action.
Three priority areas for transformation:
1. Financing women’s economic empowerment
In West and Central Africa, women make up over 60% of the informal workforce but remain under-financed. Gender-responsive budgeting, targeted credit lines, and investment in women-led businesses are already yielding encouraging results in several countries. A “Gender Equality Financing Pact” between the AU and the G20 could amplify these efforts — by strengthening the care economy, supporting cross-border traders, and creating financing models accessible to all women.
2. Digital inclusion and innovation
The digital gender gap remains one of the deepest in the world. Women entrepreneurs in the region are active in agrotech, services, and e-commerce, but continue to face persistent obstacles related to connectivity, digital literacy, and access to capital. Building on collaborations with Smart Africa, ECOWAS, and the Economic Commission for Africa, a “Digital Pact for Equality” could focus on three areas: access, skills, and financing. UN Women’s “African Girls Can Code” initiative already provides a solid foundation for such an approach.
3. Women, peace, and security, and climate resilience
The Sahel and Congo Basin regions illustrate how peace, security, and climate change are interconnected. Women play a crucial role in prevention, mediation, and adaptation. As the G20 advances on resilience and conflict prevention issues, integrating the Women, Peace, and Security dimension into economic and climate policies can enhance both impact and accountability. This year’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 offers an opportunity to anchor this link in national and regional policies.
From policy to implementation: the role of UN Women
UN Women supports this ambition at three levels:
At the continental level, we collaborate with the AU Gender Directorate and the G20 Sherpa office to integrate gender equality into the AU’s priorities at the G20.
At the regional level, our office for West and Central Africa works closely with governments, ECOWAS, ECCAS, civil society, and the private sector to harmonize data, financing, and action around common goals.
At the national level, partnerships with ministries responsible for gender, finance, or digital issues help translate these frameworks into national budgets, entrepreneurship programs, and gender-sensitive public policies.
Building bridges for gender equality
Africa’s presence in the G20 creates three major opportunities for women and girls:
Inclusion. Women from all regions of the continent, including the Sahel and the Congo Basin, must be represented and heard in global decision-making spaces.
Investment. More resources can strengthen care systems, support green and digital businesses, and expand women-led economic recovery efforts.
Influence. African gender strategies and funds — such as the ECOWAS Regional Gender Strategy or the AU Women’s Fund — can help shape global standards for inclusive growth.
For a feminist pact between the G20 and Africa
The next step in global governance must be feminist, inclusive, and driven by Africa. The South African presidency of the G20 and the African Union’s permanent membership make it a decisive moment for the continent’s engagement on the international stage. UN Women will continue to work with the AU, South Africa, and regional partners to ensure that this new global voice advances gender equality and delivers measurable results for women and girls.
When Africa speaks, the world listens — and when African women are in leadership positions, the world is better off.
