DIRCO Deputy Minister says SA's approach to critical minerals remains key ahead of G20 Summit

Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes says the weeks leading up to the highly anticipated G20 Leaders' Summit will give key insights into the country's approach to critical minerals.

South Africa will host global leaders in Johannesburg next month in what will be the close of the country's year-long G20 presidency.

Member states are expected to deliberate over common priorities, including already contentious issues like trade policy, conflict, climate financing, and the high cost of capital.

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The G20 Critical Minerals Framework is also expected to take centre stage as part of the African continent's agenda on value creation in the mining industry.

Global demand for critical minerals is estimated to be more than double by 2040, with hopes that Africa's large reserves can help supercharge the continent's growth and development.

Botes joined delegates at a G20 Dialogue hosted by the Southern African Liaison Office on Tuesday.

"On critical minerals, we do anticipate the medium-term budget policy statement will set a firm basis for what our anticipation is for the leaders' summit that will convene two weeks thereafter. Because of market sensitivity. I will pause there as it relates to critical minerals. But save to say, we have a dilemma on the African continent where we subscribe to pan Africanism but not necessarily do in our actions, live and become the embodiment of African solidarity."