South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria leaders absent from UNGA

The presidents of South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria—Africa’s three largest economies by nominal GDP—are not attending the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in person. Instead, senior officials and ministers will represent their respective nations during the high-level gathering in New York.

According to International Monetary Fund projections, these three economies are expected to reach approximately $480 billion, $430 billion, and $377 billion by 2026. Their representation comes at a time when the UNGA is addressing critical issues for the continent, including climate change, global financing, development, and UN reform.

A major focus for African nations remains the push for greater representation in global decision-making, specifically regarding permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Security is also a primary concern; for instance, Nigeria is utilizing the platform to discuss counterterrorism strategies following a significant rise in terrorist attacks and related deaths in 2025.