Trevor Manuel
Trevor Manuel is a South African politician and economist who has held several senior government positions and now serves in advisory and institutional roles. He is best known for his tenure as Minister of Finance from 1996 to 2009, during which he oversaw South Africa's macroeconomic stabilisation, fiscal discipline and integration into global capital markets in the post-apartheid era. Manuel was appointed Minister in the Cabinet of President Nelson Mandela and continued under Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, making him one of the longest-serving finance ministers in the democratic dispensation. After leaving the finance portfolio, he served as Minister in the Presidency for National Planning from 2009 to 2014, where he led the development of the National Development Plan, a long-term strategic framework for South Africa's social and economic transformation. Manuel has been a prominent voice on issues of development finance, debt sustainability, climate finance and industrialisation in Africa, frequently engaging with multilateral institutions and international forums. He has held board and advisory positions with organisations including the South African Institute of International Affairs and has participated in discussions on the African Continental Free Trade Area, critical minerals and the energy transition. His experience spans the transition from apartheid-era economic isolation to democratic governance, structural reform and engagement with bodies such as the G20, the Paris Club and the African Union. Manuel's influence extends beyond South Africa, with his views on sustainable development, the Sustainable Development Goals and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence shaping policy debates across the continent.
Trevor Manuel Updates
On paper, it was Africa’s G20
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 5th December 2025 The G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration in Johannesburg stressed Africa’s interests – but will it survive Trump? On paper, South Africa’s G20, which... →
South Africa’s Partial G20 Success in 2025
By: South African Institute of International Affairs 27th November 2025 South Africa’s G20 presidency has highlighted the continent’s financial challenges amid an urgent need for debt reform and access to sustainable... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the opening of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Johannesburg (22/11/2025)
24th November 2025 Shortly before the dawn of a democratic and free South Africa in 1994, the founding father of our democracy President, Nelson Mandela, said: “The... →
South Africa's G20 debt focus to be tested as US takes the chair
By: Reuters 24th November 2025 The G20's leadership is heading away from the Global South just as debt problems in poorer countries threaten to flare again, testing whether the... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, to the B20 Summit, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg (20/11/2025)
21st November 2025 From every corner of the earth, people are returning to the Cradle of Humanity – to reflect on the state of our world and to chart a way forward to... →
Africa’s voice at the G20: Will Johannesburg deliver?
By: South African Institute of International Affairs 21st November 2025 As the first African-hosted G20 summit, Johannesburg offers a pivotal platform to amplify African priorities. South Africa’s G20 presidency comes... →
Africa experts call for greater oversight of ratings agencies in G20 report
By: Reuters 18th November 2025 A panel of Africa experts on Tuesday urged the Group of 20 major economies to step up oversight of credit rating agencies, which they accused of... →
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