Pedro Sánchez expresses his strong determination to strengthen relations between Spain and South Africa at all levels

Praetorship (South Africa)

No Spanish president has ever officially visited South Africa. Pedro Sánchez's trip reflects the Government of Spain's vision of Africa, a continent of growing geostrategic importance for our foreign policy.

Spain wants to establish solid alliances with African countries to jointly face the main global challenges such as the climate emergency, energy transition, technological revolution, food security, migratory movements and the fight against terrorism.

"I have conveyed Spain's firm determination to strengthen bilateral relations with South Africa to President Ramaphosa, both politically, and economically and commercially, among other aspects", stressed President Sánchez.

Regional stability

South Africa has enormous potential to create great opportunities on the African continent, given the country's economic and demographic capabilities.

For Pedro Sánchez, South Africa "is an exporter of stability" throughout the region. All of this makes the country a key player in Spain's global strategy towards Africa, as is reflected in our Third Africa Plan and Africa Focus 2023, which considers South Africa as an 'anchor country' with which "we must strengthen our bilateral relationship and collaboration in the multilateral and regional spheres", said the president.

In an international context marked by the uncertainty generated by the war in Ukraine and the post-pandemic economic recovery, South Africa plays an important stabilising role in the region.

Multilateralism

Spain and South Africa share a commitment to multilateralism. The two countries have adopted a Joint Declaration centred on shared values, defending international order based on rules in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the commitment to regional cooperation.

This shared vision is an excellent basis for broadening the scope of bilateral collaboration, as well as in multilateral forums, such as the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in Sharm el Sheik (Egypt) or the G20 Summit in Indonesia, which will take place in the coming weeks.

Four Memoranda of Understanding have also been signed. 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 across a broad spectrum of industries, particularly those contributing to a just energy transition, automotive and agri businesses.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, presided over the signing of agreements between the delegations of both countries | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Trade and investment

Spain is willing to significantly increase trade, investment and industrial cooperation with South Africa. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez has invited Cyril Ramaphosa to visit Spain - whenever his agenda allows - to continue deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.

A reflection of this commitment and the Government of Spain's firm support for our companies who operate in South Africa has been the participation of Presidents Sánchez and Ramaphosa in an important Spanish-South African business forum, which has allowed Spanish companies to learn first-hand about the attractive business opportunities that South Africa represents.

The President of the Government of Spain is accompanied on this trip by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, together with a large delegation of representatives of world-leading companies from Spain in their respective sectors - energy transition, water, railways, infrastructures, among others - who see South Africa as a country where they can prosper, with great economic potential and significant trade and investment opportunities.

During the Forum and with a view to supporting industrial investment and export projects that contribute to successfully overcoming the challenge of climate change in South Africa, improving its infrastructure network and accompanying Spanish companies in developing the milestone transformation plans planned by the South African government, President Pedro Sánchez announced the availability of a powerful financial package of up to a maximum of 2.115 billion euros over the next five years through the various Spanish public financial instruments, including the FIEM, CESCE and COFIDES funds.

"South Africa is the main destination for Spanish investment in sub-Saharan Africa. We reiterate the Government's support for these investments. In particular in the fields of renewable energy, water and infrastructure. Economic recovery from the pandemic must be based on a transformation of the economic model towards a more sustainable and inclusive one. South Africa has made enormous efforts in this regard, with the aim of promoting the country's economic and social development, while fostering a business-friendly environment", the president stressed.

Science and research

Group photo of the meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and scientists from the Association of Spanish Scientists of Southern Africa | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

During this visit, the President of the Government of Spain met with representatives of the Association of Spanish Scientists in South Africa, the only one of its kind on the African continent. At the meeting, the president underlined the Government's commitment to Spanish science and research. Nothing exemplifies this better than the increase in resources foreseen in the draft general state budget, with an increase of 4% over the previous year, which will translate into the largest public investment in science and research in the entire history of democracy in Spain.

The excellent experience of the Spanish scientists present in South African universities and research centres is bearing significant fruit and the possibility of extending this type of partnership to other countries on the continent is already being explored.

Finally, Pedro Sánchez visited Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, one of the most important symbols of the struggle against apartheid. "Paying tribute to those who once fought for freedom and democracy is not only an act of recognition and gratitude, it is also a moral obligation for any democrat. All the more so in a country where the struggle against apartheid and the memory of Nelson Mandela are a symbol that still today illuminates and inspires the whole world", concluded the president.

Non official translation