The Diplomat
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, was received yesterday in Pretoria by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Ciryl Ramaphosa, with whom he discussed, among other issues, the deepening of trade relations and Spanish investments in the country. Likewise, the head of the Executive invited the South African leader to visit Spain, when his agenda allows it, in order to continue deepening bilateral relations.
“I have conveyed to President Ramaphosa Spain’s firm determination to strengthen bilateral relations with South Africa, both political, economic and commercial,” said Sanchez during the press conference following the meeting. According to the President, South Africa has “enormous potential” in Africa as a whole due to its economic and demographic characteristics and “is an exporter of stability” in the entire region. Sánchez’s visit, the first by a Spanish Prime Minister to South Africa, was made as part of a tour of the African continent that began the previous day in Kenya.
All these factors, according to the President of the Government, make South Africa “a fundamental actor” in Spain’s global strategy towards Africa, as is reflected in the 3rd Africa Plan and the Africa 2023 Focus, which considers South Africa as an ‘anchor country’ with which Spain wants to “strengthen bilateral relations and collaboration in the multilateral and regional spheres”.
An example of this was the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding during Pedro Sánchez’s visit, three on industry 4.0, national libraries and sport and a fourth between COFIDES and its South African counterpart, IDC, to strengthen their cooperation and invest in projects promoted by the private sector in a broad spectrum of industries, especially those related to just energy transition, automotive and agribusiness.
Business forum
In this regard, Sánchez assured that Spain wishes to significantly increase trade, investment and industrial cooperation with South Africa. In the same vein, President Ramaphosa stated at the same press conference that “South Africa is very encouraged by Spain’s interest and investment in sectors that are key to the development and growth of our economy”, because “only through collaboration, foreign direct investment and increased trade can we overcome poverty, inequality and unemployment”.
The two leaders later participated in a Spanish-South African business forum that allowed Spanish companies to learn first-hand about the business opportunities offered by South Africa. Pedro Sánchez traveled to Africa accompanied by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, and by an outstanding delegation of representatives of Spanish companies that are world leaders in their respective sectors, such as energy transition, water, railroads and infrastructure, among others.
During the Forum, the President explained the Government’s measures to support industrial investment projects and exports in South Africa, such as the creation of a financial package of up to a maximum of 2,115 million euros over the next five years through the various Spanish public financial instruments, such as the FIEM, CESCE or COFIDES funds. “South Africa is the main destination for Spanish investments in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Sánchez assured. “We reiterate the Government’s support for these investments, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, water and infrastructure,” he continued. “South Africa has made enormous efforts to promote the country’s economic and social development, while fostering a favorable business environment,” he added.
For his part, Ciryl Ramaphosa stated that “an important part of our collective response to climate change is greater support for green and sustainable energy policies and technologies.” “A number of Spanish companies are active in the renewable energy sector in South Africa and we want those investments to expand,” he added.
During the visit, Pedro Sanchez met with representatives of the Association of Spanish Scientists in South Africa, the only one of its kind on the entire African continent, and reported that the possibility of extending this type of association to other countries on the continent is being explored. Finally, the president visited Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg, the prison where the former president and historic anti-racist leader Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and one of the most important symbols of the struggle against Apartheid. “The struggle against apartheid and the memory of Nelson Mandela are a symbol that still illuminates and inspires the whole world today,” he said.
