South Africa and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand their trade and defense partnerships, following a meeting between the nations’ foreign ministers on Tuesday.
As Britain’s largest trading partner in Africa, South Africa exports key goods like precious metals, automobiles, and agricultural products to the UK, one of the top five destinations for South African exports. According to the South African Revenue Service, trade between the two countries amounted to roughly 133 billion rand ($7.62 billion) last year.
“We’ve committed to a UK-South Africa growth plan that will spur economic development and strengthen our trade and investment links,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, standing alongside South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. While details remain limited, the plan includes an initiative aimed at creating agricultural jobs in rural South Africa and increasing exports to the UK.
Lamola noted that trade and investment ties had slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other hurdles, highlighting the need for a “reset.” He expressed satisfaction with the renewed focus on the partnership’s potential.
The countries also pledged to boost defense cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts, and discussed shared goals for a just energy transition.
Lammy, on his first official visit to Africa as foreign secretary, had earlier visited Nigeria to promote economic and security collaboration.