(Ecofin Agency) - The South African presidency indicates that Japan, which will host the next G7 Summit in May, has decided to invite the African Union rather than individual African countries.

The Japanese government has invited the African Union (AU) to the upcoming Summit of the International Group of Seven (G7). This is revealed in a statement published by the South African Presidency on Monday, April 17. 

"The Japanese government, which is hosting the G7, decided for its version of the summit to invite the African Union instead of individual countries from Africa. [...] Therefore, the president of Comoros, who is the current chair, will attend the G7 plus meetings and not South Africa," the same source indicates. This invitation contrasts with habits because, South Africa -the only African country in the group of twenty largest economies of the planet (G20)-  was the only African country invited as a non-member state.  

On April 11, the Japanese government spokesman announced that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would tour Africa ahead of the G7 summit scheduled for May 20-21 (in Hiroshima). That tour is expected to take him to Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique, to strengthen cooperation between the continent and the G7.

In December 2022, Japan, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, advocated for a permanent seat for the African Union in the G20. It argued that Africa remains underrepresented in global bodies despite its growing economic and demographic weight.