UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he will advocate for British businesses on the global stage. The summit, which convenes leaders from the world’s 20 largest economies, will proceed without former US President Donald Trump, who has opted to boycott the event. Trump’s decision stems from his controversial and widely discredited claims of white persecution in South Africa, which he reiterated in a social media post labeling the summit a ‘total disgrace.’
Sir Keir, often criticized for his frequent international travels, will use the summit to highlight the strategic importance of the UK’s global presence. During his visit, he will tour a Johannesburg depot showcasing trains manufactured in Derby, UK, and announce a new partnership where Crossrail International, a UK government-owned entity, will provide consultancy services to South Africa’s railway sector. This follows a similar agreement recently signed with Vietnam.
Downing Street has emphasized Africa’s potential as a key market for UK businesses, citing demographic trends such as half of Africa’s population being under 20 and projections that over a quarter of the global population will reside in Africa by 2050. Sir Keir underscored the importance of face-to-face diplomacy, stating, ‘I will focus on the deals we can do, the business we can do, with our partner countries and make sure that the work we do internationally is impacting directly at home.’
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Trump’s boycott as ‘their loss,’ asserting that such tactics are ineffective. He also refuted claims of white genocide in South Africa, calling them ‘widely discredited and unsupported by reliable evidence.’ Despite Trump’s absence, the summit remains a critical platform for fostering international collaboration and economic growth.