This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as he undertakes a working visit to Ireland and Belgium to advance trade relations.

Ramaphosa will on Wednesday hold official talks in Ireland with Higgins and Prime Minister Micheál Martin, and, in an attempt to promote investment, he will also meet with Irish companies.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the President’s visit to Ireland will consolidate the “long-standing and strong relationship” between both countries, with specific focus on science and innovation; higher education and skills development; and trade and investment.

Magwenya noted bilateral trade between South Africa and Ireland grew by 12% to $638-million in 2024, up from $567-million in 2023.

“South Africa increased its exports to Ireland by 40.4%, from $119-million in 2023 to $168-million in 2024. South Africa’s imports from Ireland also grew by 5%, from $448-million in 2023 to $470-million in 2024,” he said.

He also highlighted South Africa's strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), of which Ireland is a member.

“The leaders will also discuss global and regional geopolitics as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation. A historically significant relationship, rooted in mutual respect and common values, binds the two countries. Ireland’s principled stance in support of the anti-apartheid movement exemplified this bond, reflecting its deep commitment to human rights and social justice,” Magwenya stated.

Ireland is an invited guest country to the G20, alongside Nigeria, Egypt, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and the UAE.

Ramaphosa will on Thursday visit Belgium, where he will participate in the Global Gateway Forum (GGF) in Brussels, at the invitation of Von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen leads the GGF, which brings together heads of State and government, and high-level representatives from governments, financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.

“Together, they will explore innovative strategies for scaling up European investments in partner countries. Building on the success of the inaugural Forum in 2023, this year’s event will focus on advancing global connectivity in the face of geopolitical and geo-economic challenges,” Magwenya explained.

The heads of State and government from Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe, as well as the Chairperson of the AU Commission, will also attend

A high-level South African business delegation will also participate in the GGF.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande; Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela and Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi and senior government officials.

PEACE PROCESS

Meanwhile, Deputy President Paul Mashatile will on Wednesday undertake a working visit to Juba, in the Republic of South Sudan, in his capacity as Presidential Special Envoy to South Sudan.

Acting spokesperson to Mashatile Keith Khoza explained that Mashatile’s working visit aims to help consolidate political efforts and contribute to deepening the implementation of the peace process, in line with the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

“Both South Africa and South Sudan share strong historical bonds, dating back to the days of the struggle for independence and freedom, which forms the basis of mutual bilateral cooperation,” Khoza said.

Mashatile will hold consultations with South Sudan President Salva Kiir and key signatories to the Revitalised Agreement, as well as other stakeholders, as part of the peace process.  

Khoza pointed out that South Sudan is implementing a peace process under auspices of the Revitalised Agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, signed in September 2018.

“Key provisions of the Revitalised Agreement include, amongst others, the drafting of a new constitution, transitional security arrangements, and preparations for elections scheduled for December 2026,” he said.

Khoza stated that these milestones are vital for a peaceful and democratic end of the transitional period.

He said Mashatile will, therefore, use the opportunity during his visit to assess progress on the status of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.