South Africa Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Strategic Partnership with France
Paris, The Gulf Observer: South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening bilateral relations with France, highlighting expanding cooperation in investment, science and technology, defence, education, and cultural diplomacy during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official visit to France.
Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Ramaphosa described France as one of South Africa’s key strategic partners, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between the two countries across a broad range of sectors. He noted that bilateral ties continue to strengthen through growing trade, investment, energy cooperation, defence collaboration, educational exchanges, and people-to-people connections.
The South African President said the economic partnership has gained significant momentum, pointing to the strong participation of French companies at the 6th South Africa Investment Conference held in Johannesburg earlier this year. According to Ramaphosa, 30 French companies pledged investments worth approximately €1.11 billion (around R20.7 billion) across key sectors of the South African economy, reflecting growing investor confidence in the country’s long-term economic prospects.
Ramaphosa also welcomed greater French participation in South Africa’s ambitious infrastructure development programme, describing it as the largest mass infrastructure initiative in the country’s history.
The two leaders reviewed progress on several bilateral agreements currently under negotiation, including cooperation on transport-related matters, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and a declaration of intent on mobility. They also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in science, technology and innovation, with priority areas including artificial intelligence, ocean and marine sciences, soil health, and water management.
President Ramaphosa congratulated France on becoming the 14th member state of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), describing it as an important step in advancing international scientific cooperation.
In the defence sector, both countries agreed to convene the long-awaited 13th Defence Strategic Dialogue in South Africa later this year to assess the implementation of their existing Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration. Cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges also remain central pillars of the bilateral relationship.
President Ramaphosa’s official visit to France, held from 10 to 12 July, is aimed at reinforcing the historic partnership between the two nations while expanding cooperation in areas of mutual strategic and economic interest.
