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South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, the three largest economies in Africa by nominal gross domestic product (GDP), are participating in the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, but their presidents are not attending the high-level gathering in person.
The three countries remain fully represented at the annual diplomatic meeting, with senior government officials leading their respective delegations.

According to the latest projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), South Africa’s economy is expected to be worth about $480 billion in 2026, followed by Egypt at approximately $430 billion and Nigeria at about $377 billion.

The 81st UN General Assembly opened amid a week of high-level diplomatic engagements, with nearly 130 heads of state and government expected in New York.

The General Debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Issues of importance to Africa
The UNGA discussions cover several issues that directly affect African countries, including global financing, UN reform, peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and international cooperation.

African countries are also continuing their campaign for greater representation in global decision-making institutions, particularly through calls for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.

Security is expected to be an important issue for Nigeria, which continues to face terrorism and other forms of insecurity.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria recorded 171 terrorist attacks and 750 terrorism-related deaths in 2025, the country’s highest terrorism-related death toll since 2020.

With President Bola Tinubu not attending the gathering, Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation and is expected to present the country’s national statement.

South Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is absent from UNGA 81 after his medical team advised him to take a break from public engagements and focus on rest and recovery.

The South African Presidency announced on September 16 that Ramaphosa had been advised to rest following medical consultations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Ronald Lamola is leading the South African delegation in New York.

South Africa’s priorities at the UNGA include reform of the United Nations, strengthening multilateral institutions and securing permanent African representation on the UN Security Council.

Lamola is also expected to advance South Africa’s positions on international conflicts and the application of international law.

Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is also not attending the UNGA in person.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly travelled to New York on September 21 to lead Egypt’s delegation under the president’s direction.

Egypt’s State Information Service said Madbouly is scheduled to deliver speeches and statements at several UNGA events and hold meetings with international organisations, business executives and representatives of global companies.

His participation allows Egypt to maintain high-level engagement on diplomacy, development, investment and other international issues despite the president’s absence.

Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu is the third leader among the presidents of Africa’s three biggest economies who is not physically present at the UNGA.

According to the Nigerian Presidency, Tinubu is currently in France on a private vacation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is leading the Nigerian delegation and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Assembly.

The Presidency said Tinubu is on annual leave and has authorised Shettima to represent him at the gathering.

Shettima is also expected to participate in bilateral meetings and other high-level engagements on behalf of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s participation is significant because of its economic and diplomatic influence in Africa and its longstanding calls for greater African representation in international institutions.

Countries remain represented
Although the presidents of South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria are absent, their countries are not withdrawing from the UNGA.

Each government has sent senior officials with mandates to represent national interests, participate in negotiations and engage other governments and international organisations.

However, the absence of the presidents means they will not personally deliver their countries’ positions during the high-level week or take part directly in the numerous bilateral meetings and diplomatic engagements traditionally held on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The UNGA high-level week provides opportunities for discussions on conflicts, trade, investment, development financing, climate change, international security and global governance.

For South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, those discussions will continue through their representatives, even though their presidents are following the proceedings from outside New York.

Dapagun:
https://applesbite.com/africas-3-biggest-economies-attend-unga-2026-without-their-presidents/

anonimi:
Nigeria remains fourth largest economy in Africa despite rebasing

July 21, 2025

Nigeria has retained its status as the fourth largest economy in Africa despite a rebasing exercise that expanded the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced that the economy expanded to N372.8 trillion ($243 billion) in 2024, down from N314.02 trillion in the prior year as more sectors in the informal economy were considered in its calculations.

The statistics bureau adopted 2019 as its base year away from 2010 that’s previously reported.

The rebasing exercise covers the period from 2019 to 2023 and reflects changes in the economy’s structure, sectoral contributions, and data sources.

Despite the overhaul, Nigeria fails to reclaim its erstwhile status as the largest economy in Africa.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), South Africa remains the continent’s biggest economy with a GDP of $410.34 billion for a country with little over a quarter of Nigeria’s population.

Following the Southern African nation is Egypt with a GDP of $347 billion while Algeria maintains its third position having $268.9 billion as the size of its economy.

Although Nigeria’s economy grew 30 percent above the projected $188 billion estimate by the IMF this year, the rebasing was poised to place the economy as the biggest in Africa.

https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigeria-remains-fourth-largest-economy-in-africa-despite-rebasing/?amp

anonimi:
July 29, 2026

Nigeria loses 47% of dollar millionaires, retains 4th position in Africa

Nigeria has lost nearly half of its dollar millionaires over the past decade, with the population of high-net-worth individuals falling by 47 per cent between 2015 and 2025, according to the 2025 Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners in collaboration with New World Wealth.

Despite the sharp erosion in private wealth, Nigeria retained its position as Africa’s fourth-largest hub for dollar millionaires, with 7,200 millionaires, 20 centi-millionaires (individuals with investable wealth of at least $100 million) and three billionaires, trailing only South Africa, Egypt and Morocco.

The report showed that South Africa remained the continent’s wealthiest country by number of dollar millionaires, with 41,100 millionaires, 112 centi-millionaires and eight billionaires. Egypt followed with 14,800 millionaires, 49 centi-millionaires and seven billionaires.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/07/nigeria-loses-47-of-dollar-millionaires-retains-4th-position-in-africa/

Richtaiwo:
Unintelligent mobs are saying Tinubu has killed Nigeria for sending his vice to represent Nigeria. I still don't know why they haven't called Trump to come to their aid.

Funny, if Tinubu had attended in person, same mobs would still have it was not necessary for Tinubu to "waste" tax payer's money.

This is what happens when people practically roam the streets like lunatics all because of hate. Though, that won't change Tinubu's re-election.

RaySimran:
Ramophosa is hospitalized following his return from India.

Tinubu had a beef with Chicago, so to avoid being an African Maduro he borrowed some sense from the Wizard of Oz.

El Sisi's reason of absence is still unknown.

Richtaiwo:
Unintelligent mobs are saying Tinubu has killed Nigeria for sending his vice to represent Nigeria. I still don't know why they haven't called Trump to come to their aid.
Funny, if Tinubu had attended in person, same mobs would still have it was not necessary for Tinubu to "waste" tax payer's money.
This is what happens when people practically roam the streets like lunatics all because of hate. Though, that won't change Tinubu's re-election.

fergie001:
We are going through a challenging period economically. I put out a video, yes, our FAAC has gone up but when I came in here the first salary bill I signed was ₦4.5b but today the salary bill is ₦18b. In all of these, the minimum wage then was ₦18000, and today it's ₦80000 but the ₦18000 then can even buy more than what the ₦80000 will get you today. That's the kind of voodoo economics they brought to us. So, we have to sit down, NLC, because our people are challenged economically. The resources are limited but the wage award which ended in September I will extend for another three months. Our subsidy on transport we will continue with it and so again, I want thank all of you especially the workers for your dedication , commitment and support.


Gov Makinde addressing civil servants at the Government House in Agodi

Richtaiwo:
Unintelligent mobs are saying Tinubu has killed Nigeria for sending his vice to represent Nigeria. I still don't know why they haven't called Trump to come to their aid.

Funny, if Tinubu had attended in person, same mobs would still have it was not necessary for Tinubu to "waste" tax payer's money.

This is what happens when people practically roam the streets like lunatics all because of hate. Though, that won't change Tinubu's re-election.

Richtaiwo:
Unintelligent mobs are saying Tinubu has killed Nigeria for sending his vice to represent Nigeria.

Funny, if Tinubu had attended in person, same mobs would still have it was not necessary for Tinubu to "waste" tax payer's money.

This is what happens when people practically roam the streets like lunatics all because of hate. Though, that won't change Tinubu's re-election.

Flo36:
This downward comparism comparison shows how bias and senseless some Nigerians are...ever since this tinubu became president he hasn't go to UNGA for a reason we all know

xxgig:
Are others also missing UNGA for the 3rd consecutive year?