The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance in partnership with the Remaking Trade Project, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS), and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), bring together policymakers, academics, business leaders, and civil society representatives to discuss key issues shaping global trade and sustainability

The global economy is navigating a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, climate-driven disruptions, and deepening economic disparities. The weaponisation 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 mobilisation.