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RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AFRICA

The European Union and South Africa

Partners in progress

On This Page

  • Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor and High Representative / Vice-President of the European Union, Josep Borrell Fontelles

    European Union

Political & Cultural

Strategic Partners for a shared future

The European Union and South Africa have a wide-ranging Strategic Partnership. Summits, ministerial meetings and Joint Cooperation Councils take place regularly and draw on our sectoral dialogues and meetings, covering issues including, but not limited to, human rights, trade and investment, sustainable development, education and training, science and technology. See:

Our partnership is strengthened by “Team Europe”, which rallies the resources and expertise of the European Union,  our 27 Member States (22 represented in South Africa), including their implementing agencies and public development banks, and the European Investment Bank (EIB). This 'Team Europe approach' means joining forces so that our joint external action becomes more than the sum of its parts.

The EU-South Africa partnership takes place within the framework of Global Gateway, Europe’s external investment strategy, as well as our commitment to strengthen multilateralism, human rights and cultural relations. Our partnership is enhanced through the EU Alumni network.

Trade, Investment & Green Transition

EU investment for a just and green transformation: a sustainable win-win partnership

The EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA ex-post evaluation) underpins the EU’s position as South Africa’s largest investor and trade partner (2023 factsheet). More on the partners.

For trade support: Trade Helpdesk; EU Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Southern Africa.

Macro-economic exchanges take place between National Treasury and DG ECFIN.

The partners also work on climate action and environmental protection, decarbonisation through renewables and sustainable energy to ensure a just and green recovery through the JETP.

Global Gateway facilitates the implementation of these common objectives, and is guided by the European Green Deal, which places environment and climate change at the heart of the EU agenda.

A range of strategic public and private investment actions blend EU grants, loans and de-risking tools in pursuit of job creation and sustainable growth.

Further, the EIB supports development and economic activity in the country.

 

See Also