Season 13 Episode 20

Professor Francis Petersen on South Africa’s G20 presidency and Africa’s global role

04 November 2025 · 37:39 min

In this episode of Business Talk, Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, joins Michael Avery to discuss South Africa’s historic G20 presidency in 2025. Professor Petersen explains how this moment offers a unique opportunity for Africa to shift from… being a recipient of global solutions to becoming a co-creator of them. He explores how universities can play a pivotal role in shaping policy, driving research, and producing graduates ready to engage globally, while promoting solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.

He also highlights the importance of collaboration between academia, business, and government to solve the world’s most pressing challenges — from energy and climate change to inequality and digital transformation. Using the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, developed in partnership with the World Economic Forum, as an example, Professor Petersen shows how South Africa’s academic institutions are helping to build a more inclusive, tech-driven, and sustainable future for the continent and beyond. Show more