President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa will attend the EU-South Africa Summit in Cape Town on 13 March, the first since 2018. This summit offers a chance to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to its partnership with South Africa, strengthen strategic ties, and address global challenges. It also supports South Africa’s G20 presidency and prepares for the upcoming EU-African Union Summit.
Since South Africa transitioned to democracy in 1994, the EU has been its largest trading partner and primary foreign investor, accounting for about 47% of its total foreign direct investment. The established strategic partnership between the EU and South Africa since 2007 covers various sectors, focusing on science, technology, and innovation to achieve sustainable development goals.
“The geopolitical landscape is shifting, making strong partnerships more important than ever. I’m going to Cape Town with one goal: to strengthen our unique relationship with South Africa across the board – taking our cooperation on trade, critical raw materials and clean energy to the next level and bringing new investment under Global Gateway. My message: Europe values its partnership with South Africa, just as I value my friendship with President Ramaphosa. South Africa can count on Europe. And I know Europe can count on South Africa,” the European Commission President said.
During the summit, leaders will discuss enhancing trade and investment, particularly in clean technology and sustainable supply chains. President von der Leyen will announce the “Global Gateway Investment Package,” which aims to boost investments through grants and loans. This package will focus on three areas:
1. Supporting the Just Energy Transition with investments in green hydrogen and local workforce skills.
2. Strengthening connectivity infrastructure, including transportation and digital networks.
3. Enhancing vaccine production capacity and local pharmaceutical value chains.
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and the South African Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure will also sign an agreement to support faster cancer diagnosis and treatment in South African hospitals.
