G20 Finance Track meeting wrapped up this week
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
African media must follow the money and treat AI as a story about power, not tech
Scott Timcke is a senior research associate with Research ICT Africa. He is affiliated with the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Social Change and the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A gap has emerged in global discussions about AI governance during South Africa's G20 presidency. This is the role of independent media as democracy's watchdog in an age of concentrated digital power. The Media20 (M20) initiative – an independent civil society initiative that mirrors official G20 engagement groups for business, think tanks and civil society, among others – has identified this gap through a recent set of policy briefs, in particular, one on AI, Africa and the G20. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads The findings point to a conundrum. Just as AI systems increasingly shape economic, social and political outcomes across Africa, the media's capacity to scrutinise these developments is being undermined by the very forces they should be monitoring. The triple challenge facing African media Three interconnected challenges demand urgent G20 attention. First, AI development remains concentrated among a handful of global technology companies, creating concentrations of transnational power that national regulatory mechanisms struggle to govern effectively. When decisions made in Silicon Valley boardrooms can determine whether African farmers receive crop recommendations or students access educational content, the stakes for democratic oversight come into relief. Second, Africa occupies a structurally disadvantaged position in the global AI economy. While African workers earn just $1-$3 per hour, labelling images that enable billion-dollar AI applications like autonomous vehicles, they remain locked out of the more profitable layers of the AI technology stack. This digital extraction mirrors historical patterns of resource exploitation where raw materials flow outward while value-added benefits remain elsewhere. Third, and perhaps most critically, journalism covering AI governance suffers from significant knowledge gaps. Too many reporters treat AI developments as 'technology stories', focusing on capabilities and breakthrough narratives, rather than examining the deeper 'power and policy stories' that reveal governance implications and labour impacts. This framing obscures the real questions: Who controls these systems? How are decisions made? What is the impact on ordinary Africans? Democracy under pressure This oversight becomes particularly concerning given Africa's deteriorating information ecosystem. Since 2022, foreign-sponsored disinformation campaigns have targeted at least 39 African countries, exploiting structural vulnerabilities including limited media literacy and declining press freedom. Meanwhile, governments increasingly distort 'fake news' or 'misinformation' laws to suppress dissent, while internet shutdowns undermine freedom of expression and access to information. The surge in information manipulation coincides with AI systems increasingly shaping critical sectors such as agriculture, health, education and governance itself. When algorithmic decision-making affects everything from loan approvals to university admissions, independent oversight becomes more crucial than ever. Yet the technical complexity of AI systems often shields corporate practices from public scrutiny, while the global nature of AI companies complicates jurisdictional oversight. The M20's democratic vision The M20 initiative seeks to interact with official G20 engagement groups and advocate for media recognition as a core pillar of sustainable financial development, human rights and global cooperation. This approach recognises that effective AI governance cannot emerge from purely technocratic solutions; it requires robust democratic accountability mechanisms. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads The initiative's recommendations for G20 consideration include establishing AI governance transparency standards that mandate algorithmic impact assessments for government AI deployments, supporting independent AI oversight mechanisms through funding streams for media organisations to develop AI governance expertise, and promoting African AI tools that serve local languages and contexts rather than marginalising them. Most importantly, the M20 calls for strengthening media freedom through concrete benchmarks for press freedom and information integrity, including sanctions for governments that weaponise disinformation legislation against journalists. Reframing the story For African media organisations, the challenge lies in developing the technical literacy needed to cover AI governance effectively, while maintaining editorial independence from potentially unsustainable and biased AI services. If done correctly, they can reframe AI coverage to focus on power dynamics rather than 'technological wizardry'. This means following the money and data in AI systems, particularly examining how African data contributes to AI development and whether economic benefits flow back to African communities. It means developing systematic approaches to covering government use of AI in service delivery and security agencies, with attention to transparency and citizen impact. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Most crucially, it means challenging corporate narratives about AI benefits with independent verification, particularly examining outsized claims about the ability of AI solutions to achieve development goals. A continental imperative The stakes extend beyond journalism itself. AI systems are reshaping Africa's relationship with the global economy, determining whether the continent remains locked into extractive relationships or develops genuine technological sovereignty. The African Union's Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, endorsed last year, recognises this imperative. But implementation requires the kind of sustained, critical oversight that only independent media can provide. As recent reports indicate a decline in press freedom across major democracies, with significant economic pressures on news organisations, the M20's mission becomes even more acute. Effective AI governance requires collaborative networks that share resources and expertise across borders, recognising that the forces shaping Africa's digital future operate on a global scale. For African media, this means that embracing their role as democracy's watchdog becomes more vital in an era of concentrated digital power. The question is whether Africa's journalists are ready to tell the real story of AI; not as a tale of technological progress, but as a fundamental question of power, democracy and self-determination. DM
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
G20 South Africa 2025: A Defining Moment for the Nation and the Continent
South Africa is preparing to welcome the world in 2025 as it assumes (South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2024, to November 2025) the presidency and hosts the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, a moment of national pride and continental significance. This milestone places South Africa, and by extension Africa, at the centre of global dialogue on economic growth, sustainable development, climate resilience, digital transformation, and multilateral cooperation. In the words of South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, South Africa's goal is to promote mutually beneficial economic growth, create jobs and advance sustainable development for its partner nations. The Group of Twenty, commonly known as the G20, is the world's premier forum for economic cooperation. Representing more than 85% of global GDP, over 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the planet's population, the G20 convenes the most powerful economies to address pressing global challenges. As the only African founding member of the G20, South Africa's presidency could not be more timely or symbolic. At a time when the world is redefining recovery and resilience in the wake of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and climate disasters, South Africa brings a grounded, inclusive voice to the table, one that reflects the aspirations of the Global South and the urgent developmental needs of the African continent. The G20 countries' ability to respond collectively to mounting challenges facing the multilateral system will determine both the speed of global recovery and the future of sustainable development. Under the banner of 'inclusive growth for a just world,' South Africa's leadership is expected to spotlight issues such as financing for sustainable infrastructure, the global energy transition, youth employment, food security, digital inclusion, and equitable access to global markets. These are not only global concerns, but they are also everyday realities for millions across Africa. The Summit will attract heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, and global institutions like the UN, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Beyond political leadership, the G20 also engages civil society, youth, women, labour, business, and think tanks through structured engagement groups—offering platforms for a wider range of voices to shape global policy. Johannesburg, as host city, will become a strategic hub of diplomacy, business exchange, and cultural showcase. While the summit itself is a high-level, closed-door affair, South Africans can expect a wave of public engagement, community-driven programmes, investment conversations, and national pride as the event draws near. 'The G20 presidency is a powerful opportunity for South Africa to place Africa's priorities at the heart of global decision-making. We are committed to driving an inclusive agenda that ensures no country, and no person, is left behind.' – President Cyril Ramaphosa. For the South African government, this is more than ceremonial. It is an opportunity for G20 members to transform commitments into lasting action. Key issues remain a challenge in the country and the continent, and there is a call for greater accountability to drive tangible progress in the global pursuit of gender equality SA's G20 presidency is also an opportunity to elevate African perspectives, strengthen international alliances, and advSouth Africa is preparing to welcome the world in 2025 as it assumes (South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2024, to November 2025) the presidency and hosts the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, a moment of national pride and continental significance. This milestone places South Africa, and by extension Africa, at the centre of global dialogue on economic growth, sustainable development, climate resilience, digital transformation, and multilateral cooperation. In the words of South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, South Africa's goal is to promote mutually beneficial economic growth, create jobs and advance sustainable development for its partner nations. The Group of Twenty, commonly known as the G20, is the world's premier forum for economic cooperation. Representing more than 85% of global GDP, over 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the planet's population, the G20 convenes the most powerful economies to address pressing global challenges. As the only African founding member of the G20, South Africa's presidency could not be more timely or symbolic. At a time when the world is redefining recovery and resilience in the wake of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and climate disasters, South Africa brings a grounded, inclusive voice to the table, one that reflects the aspirations of the Global South and the urgent developmental needs of the African continent. The G20 countries' ability to respond collectively to mounting challenges facing the multilateral system will determine both the speed of global recovery and the future of sustainable development. Under the banner of 'inclusive growth for a just world,' South Africa's leadership is expected to spotlight issues such as financing for sustainable infrastructure, the global energy transition, youth employment, food security, digital inclusion, and equitable access to global markets. These are not only global concerns, but they are also everyday realities for millions across Africa. The Summit will attract heads of state, finance ministers, central bank governors, and global institutions like the UN, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Beyond political leadership, the G20 also engages civil society, youth, women, labour, business, and think tanks through structured engagement groups—offering platforms for a wider range of voices to shape global policy. Johannesburg, as host city, will become a strategic hub of diplomacy, business exchange, and cultural showcase. While the summit itself is a high-level, closed-door affair, South Africans can expect a wave of public engagement, community-driven programmes, investment conversations, and national pride as the event draws near. 'The G20 presidency is a powerful opportunity for South Africa to place Africa's priorities at the heart of global decision-making. We are committed to driving an inclusive agenda that ensures no country, and no person, is left behind.' – President Cyril Ramaphosa. For the South African government, this is more than ceremonial. It is an opportunity for G20 members to transform commitments into lasting action. Key issues remain a challenge in the country and the continent, and there is a call for greater accountability to drive tangible progress in the global pursuit of gender equality SA's G20 presidency is also an opportunity to elevate African perspectives, strengthen international alliances, and advance sustainable development goals. It is a chance to reinforce South Africa's commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation at a time when unity is more important than ever. As preparations intensify in the coming months, all eyes will be on South Africa not just as a host, but as a bridge between developed and developing economies. The 2025 G20 Summit is more than just a gathering of nations. It is a moment for South Africa to lead with purpose, to shape global consensus, and to drive transformation that begins on the continent but resonates across the globe. Stay updated by visiting or follow #G20SouthAfrica2025 for news, opportunities, and ways to engage. ance sustainable development goals. It is a chance to reinforce South Africa's commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation at a time when unity is more important than ever. As preparations intensify in the coming months, all eyes will be on South Africa not just as a host, but as a bridge between developed and developing economies. The 2025 G20 Summit is more than just a gathering of nations. It is a moment for South Africa to lead with purpose, to shape global consensus, and to drive transformation that begins on the continent but resonates across the globe.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Department goes digital: NPOs urged to use new online system
To ensure a smooth transition, the department is hosting mandatory workshops and awareness sessions across all five Gauteng corridors The Gauteng Department of Social Development is ditching paperwork and going digital in a bid to streamline the management of non-profit organisation (NPO) funding. From this week, the department will begin rolling out a new electronic NPO funding management system, known as Grantor, which will handle all future applications, payments and service level agreements (SLAs) electronically. 'This is your chance to level up your funding application game and embrace a smarter, smoother way of working,' said Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko. Digital transformation to fix delays According to Mazibuko, the department's move to the Grantor system is meant to address long-standing administrative bottlenecks that have often delayed the processing of NPO claims and payments. 'We are investing in technology to improve the processing of applications and payments, something which has been a challenge for the department,' she said. The Grantor system will enable NPOs to submit business plans, apply for funding, and receive SLAs all online. This will cut down on red tape and speed up turnaround times. ALSO READ: Is Joburg ready to host G20? Gauteng on frenzy to repair potholes and streetlights [VIDEO] Week-long training workshops begin Monday Furthermore, to ensure a smooth transition, the department is hosting mandatory workshops and awareness sessions across all five Gauteng corridors. These sessions will run from Monday, 4 August to Friday, 8 August. The first workshop takes place in Sebokeng on Monday at 12pm. The rest of the week's schedule is: Tuesday, 5 August – Johannesburg Wednesday, 6 August – Ekurhuleni Thursday, 7 August – West Rand Friday, 8 August – Tshwane NPOs are required to bring their own laptops to the sessions to engage directly with the system. Mazibuko urged organisations to attend, emphasising the system's long-term benefits for improved funding processes. 'With this new online system, we will be able to work faster and more efficiently, and we encourage NPOs to attend our mandatory workshops so that they can learn more about the Grantor system,' she said. The department said this digital shift marks a 'game-changing' moment in public service delivery. NOW READ: Lesufi reshuffles several heads of Gauteng departments after reports reveal misconduct
