SA should lead in putting Africa first

The author contends that the traditional appointment of an American as World Bank president should be replaced by an open, merit-based process. While acknowledging the difficulty of shifting global power dynamics, the text suggests that South Africa should lead an effort to nominate an African candidate. This campaign is framed not only as a bid for the presidency but as a strategic move to demonstrate African unity, highlight the continent's needs regarding poverty and climate change, and push for long-term reform in international economic governance.

• The author asserts that existing global economic governance structures are resistant to change and unable to address critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, and environmental degradation.
• The document argues that the World Bank presidency has historically been reserved for Americans and that G20 commitments to a transparent, merit-based selection process were undermined when Europeans insisted on a French appointment for the IMF managing director.
• The author claims the next World Bank president must be capable of helping borrower countries develop growth strategies that address poverty and unemployment while operating within the limitations imposed by climate change and environmental stress.
• South Africa is identified as having a 'special responsibility' to lead a campaign for an African candidate, utilizing its position on the World Bank board and its networks within the BRICS and G20 to promote the candidacy.
• Even if the campaign fails to secure the presidency, the author suggests it would benefit Africa by demonstrating the continent's ability to unite and advocate for its interests in international institutions.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). SA should lead in putting Africa first. https://saiia.org.za/research/sa-should-lead-in-putting-africa-first/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. SA should lead in putting Africa first. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/research/sa-should-lead-in-putting-africa-first/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=SA should lead in putting Africa first |date=16 March 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/sa-should-lead-in-putting-africa-first/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012should, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{SA should lead in putting Africa first}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/sa-should-lead-in-putting-africa-first/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }