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Parliament’s budget committee has asked Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to provide a full accounting of how much South Africa spent on hosting the G20 Summit. The request comes just after the event ended in Gauteng, which took place in November 2025, where government leaders praised its economic impact.
What Happened?
The parliamentary committee responsible for public spending oversight, led by Dr Mmusi Maimane, has written to Minister Godongwana requesting detailed figures on the total expenditure.
Maimane said the committee must fulfil its constitutional duty to monitor how public money is used.
He added that earlier estimates placed the hosting budget between R500 million and R600 million, and Parliament wants to confirm whether the government stayed within that range.
“We need clarity because major events often trigger inflated prices. South Africans must know the final amount,” said Maimane .
He warned against the possibility of costs rising beyond R1 billion, which would contradict the initial allocation.
Official Response
Minister Godongwana said the focus should be on the benefits the G20 brought to South Africa rather than the exact spending.
He argued that the summit boosted the country’s global profile and will attract investors.
“This summit placed South Africa on the world map. It will draw new investment and support economic growth across Africa,” Godongwana said during the closing briefing.
Godongwana recently confirmed that an additional R100 million was added to the preparation budget.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille also reported early economic gains. She said Gauteng recorded nearly R1 billion in tourism revenue during the summit.
Community Impact
The G20 spending debate raises concerns about transparency at a time when many communities face service backlogs.
However, officials argue that the summit’s investment boost and tourism gains could support long-term economic growth.
Residents and civic groups continue to call for full disclosure to ensure public trust.
