Johannesburg: With the international spotlight on South Africa, final preparations are underway for the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit, as tourism surges and accommodation and flights reach near-full capacity. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi expressed pride in the wide-ranging improvements made by provincial and municipal teams ahead of the summit.

According to South African Government News Agency, Lesufi emphasized that the preparations, particularly in infrastructure, water, electricity, and beautification, were accomplished using existing departmental budgets without allocating new funds specifically for the G20. He spoke during a media briefing alongside Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, who updated the press on South Africa’s readiness to host the historic summit at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec.

This marks the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be hosted on African soil, under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. Thousands of international delegates, media representatives, and visitors are anticipated to attend the summit from 22 – 23 November 2025.

Lesufi highlighted the commitment and resourcefulness of the teams involved, citing weekly meetings with the Executive and national Ministers over the past four months. Improvements included fixing street and traffic lights, filling potholes, and addressing other pressing issues. He also noted that these meetings would continue beyond the summit to maintain momentum in addressing infrastructure needs.

While acknowledging the progress made, Lesufi cautioned against complacency, expressing hopes for favorable weather conditions to complete final preparations. He expressed satisfaction with the work done but stressed the importance of remaining vigilant until the commencement of the summit.

Lesufi also spoke on the economic impact of the summit, noting that nearly all hotels are fully booked, flights are at capacity, and retail stores, particularly malls, are bustling with visitors. He expressed optimism for significant economic returns from the summit, highlighting Nasrec’s transformation and expressing gratitude to the teams involved in the preparations.