South Africa will use its G20 presidency to focus on advancing inclusive economic growth, food security and artificial intelligence, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday at a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Brazil.

South Africa has assumed the presidency of the G20, becoming the first African nation to lead the influential bloc of the world’s largest economies. The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro,

Poverty, unemployment and inequality will top South Africa's G20 presidency agenda. The Group of Twenty (G20) is an intergovernmental economic forum comprising 19 countries and two regional unions – the EU and AU.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva has officially handed over the G20 Presidency to South Africa. South Africa becomes the first African nation to lead the global economic group.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Africa officially becomes the first country from the African continent to chair the G20, after receiving the leadership position of the group from Brazil at the G20 High-Level Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday.

Presidency more inclusive, a vibrant and dynamic African leadership style that emphasises participation, consultation and the common good must be embraced.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva closed the Group of 20 summit on Tuesday and handed over the presidency to South Africa. (AP/Lucas Dumphreys)

As South Africa is set to assume the G20 presidency, president Cyril Ramaphosa says the country will prioritise food security and economic growth. READ: Ramaphosa warns of more wars if UN is not reformed Delivering his statement at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil,

According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people are currently living in extreme poverty and the Sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for 67% of these people.