President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio has congratulated the African Union on becoming a permanent member of the G20.

“His Excellency, President Bio, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone extend hearty congratulations to the African Union for the powerful acknowledgement of becoming a permanent member of the group of world’s 20 leading economies (G20),” Bio’s Office tweeted.

The Presidency acknowledged the need for Africa to be a member of the group citing that the continent is central to the discussion of important issues including climate change, food, energy, security and migration.

The G20 Summit will end on Sunday, 10 September.

Before the New Delhi Summit, the G20 was made up of 19 sovereign countries and the European Union.

The members of the group are comprised of the world’s leading economies with members including the US, China, Russia, India and Germany.

South Africa is the only African country in the G20.

During the Indian Summit, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modu welcomed the Chairperson of the African Union, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros.