G20 Johannesburg 2025: What to expect

With global leaders discussing trade, finance and climate action, the event will draw global attention and heightened security.

It will be the first time the G20 has convened on African soil, with host nation South Africa adopting the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”. This theme reflects South Africa’s ambition to build on the momentum of recent Global South presidencies and push forward the global development agenda. 

Security risks around the summit

Large international events naturally attract elevated security risks, with precedent indicating that the most notable concerns surrounding G20 summits are terror threats and protest activity. 

Threats of terror activity are not uncommon in the lead up to G20 summits, although none have materialised into large-scale incidents, likely due to significantly elevated monitoring and preventive measures by the local security forces. 

Protest activity frequently accompanies G20 summits, with notable examples being Munich in 2017, Toronto in 2010, and London in 2009.

The risk of protest activity is likely to be mitigated by the relatively uncontroversial priorities laid out for the summit, namely debt relief, disaster resilience, climate finance, and critical minerals. However, amid a turbulent geopolitical environment, protests denouncing several global issues cannot be ruled out. The most likely issue prompting protest activity is the ongoing Israel-Hamas war due to a widespread pro-Palestinian stance among South African citizens.

Operational impact for businesses

Protest activity linked to the G20 summit has potential to disrupt travel across Johannesburg. Security forces will likely ensure that travel along main roads remain unobstructed, although travel disruption within central areas, such as the Central Business District (CBD), is likely if large-scale protest activity materialises. 

Beyond security risks specifically associated with the summit, travel should be planned accounting for the high levels of street crime in Johannesburg. Opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing, muggings, and petty theft are prevalent throughout the city, particularly in the CBD.

Advice for risk managers and travellers

• Monitor local media and intelligence sources for planned protest activity. Advise personnel to bypass flashpoint areas as a basic precaution, particularly at any sign of unrest. Reconfirm the viability of routes prior to departure, and have contingency plans in place for delays or diversions.
• Brief staff on terrorism risks and ensure they know how to report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities. Encourage vigilance in public places and reinforce the importance of leaving an area if something feels wrong. Make sure personnel understand and follow official directives in the event of a terror incident.
• Travellers should keep valuables close on their person. Be alert to surroundings and treat requests for assistance by strangers with suspicion. If inadvertently touched or knocked, immediately check your valuables. Only use ATMs in secure complexes and check the machine for signs of machine tampering. 

Healix clients can use the Travel Oracle app’s ‘Watch Country’ function for South Africa to receive timely alerts and updates. For tailored support with security risk management around the G20 summit, contact us at enquiries@healix.com.