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RELATIONS WITH SOUTH AFRICA

The European Union and South Africa

Partners in progress

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    European Union

Political & Cultural

Strategic Partners for a shared future

The EU and South Africa have had a strong and positive relationship as international partners since the advent of South Africa's democracy in 1994, based on the shared values of democracy, human rights, equality and sovereignty. A strategic partnership was established in 2007 to boost the bilateral relationship across all sectors. 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, peace and security, human rights, trade and investment, sustainable development, education and training, and science and technology. 

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 and South Africa share an interest in cultural exchange and the protection of cultural heritage. We share the motto “united in diversity”, which not only celebrates and embraces diversity, but also emphasises the need for mutual respect and understanding of each other’s cultures and differences. Annually, the EU Delegation organises, together with the EU National Institutes for Culture, a European Film Festival that showcases the best of European cinema in South Africa.

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Trade & Investment

Key Trade and Investment Partners

The EU is South Africa's biggest trading partner, while South Africa is the EU’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, imports of goods from the EU amounted to R463.2 billion, accounting for 23% of South Africa’s total imports, while South Africa’s exports to the EU totalled R372.4 billion, corresponding to a share of 18% of South Africa’s total exports. Manufactured goods comprise a meaningful component of South Africa's exports, with well over half the exports to the EU leaving South African shores in processed or semi-processed form.

EU is also the largest foreign investor in South Africa, accounting for 46% of the total foreign direct investment stocks in South Africa.

The EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) underpins the trade relationship. Since the implementation of the EPA in 2016, the overall trade between the EU and the six SADC EPA partners has increased substantially, by 24%.

At the 8th South Africa-EU Summit on 13 March 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa and the EU agreed to launch negotiations for the first-ever Clean Trade and Investment Partnership to unleash investments in clean energy, raw materials and green hydrogen. The aim is to improve conditions for investment and facilitate the leverage of public and private financing to support EU investments in strategic clean value chains in South Africa. 

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Multilateral cooperation

Currently, South Africa is presiding over the G20 with the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. The EU, including at the Leaders’ Summit on 13 March, has reiterated its full support to South Africa and its objectives for the G20 Presidency

Global Gateway

The EU’s investment strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections

Global Gateway is the European investment strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Through Team Europe, Global Gateway brings together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions to increase scale and impact, and to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments promoting sustainable green growth.

Between 2021 and 2027, Team Europe is mobilising up to €300 billion of investments, of which at least €150 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, for sustainable, transformational and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities. This allows EU’s partners to build resilient and sustainable societies and economies, to create opportunities for the European private sector to invest, and to ensure the highest environmental and labour standards, as well as sound financial management.

At the 8th South Africa-EU Summit on 13 March 2025, a EUR 4.7 billion Global Gateway investment package was announced. This investment package, a Team Europe effort, consists of EU grants (EUR 303 million), leveraging loans from the European financial institutions (EUR 4.4 billion) and South Africa’s development banks to support strategic value chains. The investment Package will concentrate on supporting a South Africa’s Just Energy Transition; strengthening connectivity infrastructure; and strengthening the domestic pharmaceutical industry. 

Complementing Global Gateway investments, the EU implements a number of national and regional projects focusing on reducing inequalities; migration, peace and security; and civil society, culture, governance. 

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