The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has issued a sharp critique of the 2025 G20 Summit in South Africa, arguing the event underscores systemic power imbalances that disadvantage African nations. In a press statement, ZIMCODD said that, despite the G20’s image as a global leadership forum, its structure perpetuates exclusion—and decisions made at the summit often harm ordinary people rather than benefit them.
ZIMCODD pointed to the African proverb “When elephants fight, the grass suffers” to argue that, as rich countries compete and cooperate, African economies—especially poorer ones—bear the cost. They said this dynamic fuels austerity policies, debt burdens, joblessness, reduced civic freedoms, and displacement across the continent.
A primary concern raised by ZIMCODD is that Africa’s physical presence at the G20 remains limited: while South Africa is the only African country holding full membership, the African Union (AU) of 55 nations is not fully represented. For ZIMCODD, this undermines the continent’s voice in global governance, especially on key issues like debt reform, taxation, climate finance, and trade.
On debt, ZIMCODD criticized existing mechanisms like the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and the Common Framework, describing them as “creditor‑driven, slow, and ultimately paid for by citizens.” Instead, the coalition is demanding debt audits, full cancellation of what it views as illegitimate debt, mandatory participation by private creditors, and transparent lending practices.
In the realm of climate and tax justice, ZIMCODD is calling for grant-based climate finance, reparations for “loss and damage,” and binding accountability rather than the reliance on loans that increase debt. It also supports an UN-managed tax convention that would give developing countries equal say in international tax regulation—a move it argues would curb corporate abuse of tax loopholes and improve revenue collection in African states.
ZIMCODD further warned that global interest in Africa’s rich mineral resources — including lithium, cobalt, platinum, and rare earths—comes with serious risks. Without changes, rising competition could worsen exploitation, damage local communities, and concentrate wealth in multinational corporations. The coalition is therefore pushing for local beneficiation, community rights protections, and environmental safeguards.
Ultimately, ZIMCODD argues that reform rather than rhetoric should dominate the G20 agenda. It calls for permanent African Union representation at the G20, stronger civil society participation, and global decision‑making that prioritizes people over profit. According to its statement, real change will come only from organized citizens challenging extractive systems, not from elite summits.
