The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) convened the first G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) from 17 to 19 February 2025. The meeting took place virtually and was chaired by Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General at the DCDT.
In her opening remarks, the Director-General welcomed the opportunity to continue discussions with delegations from G20 members, invited guest countries, international organisations, and knowledge partners on how to harness the transformative power of digital technologies to bring about inclusive and sustainable development for all. Ms Jordan-Dyani also noted the importance of developing suitable frameworks to guide the adoption of new technologies in a way that will optimise their benefits and limit potential harms.
The meeting was a platform for South Africa to present and receive feedback from delegations on the priorities of the DEWG during South Africa’s Presidency of the G20. These priorities are as follows:
- Connectivity for inclusive digital development
- Digital public infrastructure and transformation
- Digital innovation ecosystems: unleashing the potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Equitable, inclusive, and just artificial intelligence (AI)
South Africa’s priorities and deliverables received broad support from all delegations.
The second meeting of the DEWG will take place in-person from 7 to 9 April 2025 in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. The outcomes of the technical Working Group meetings will inform the discussions at the G20 Digital Economy Ministers’ meeting and the Working Group Declaration in September 2025.
The first virtual meeting of the DEWG reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to advancing the digital economy and, in particular, its instrumental role in development and economic and social reconstruction, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
