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Statement by President von der Leyen with President Costa and South African President Ramaphosa

European Commission

Statement
Mar 12, 2025
Cape Town

President Ramaphosa, dear Cyril,

Thank you for your warm welcome and your hospitality here in Cape Town - the 'Mother City'. Today, it serves as the perfect backdrop for a new chapter in EU-South Africa relations.

Dear Cyril,

Just two weeks ago, I stood at the Gandhi Memorial in New Delhi. I reflected on the 21 years Gandhi spent here in South Africa, where he forged the principles that shaped his journey as a global leader. And we can take it as a sign. A sign that Europe's next crucial partnership must be with South Africa. A regional powerhouse. A strong voice for the Global South. We both are vibrant democracies. We both have chosen unity in diversity. And we are both striving for a safe and prosperous future for our people. We stand for a rules-based international order. And we stand for the rule of law over the rule of force. Today, here we are - with António - at our first Summit together with a third country. And I am very glad it is with South Africa.

Dear Cyril,

We spoke together at the G20 in Rio in November about green hydrogen and renewables. And today, to open this new chapter in our relations, Europe can contribute a EUR 4.7 billion Global Gateway investment package. As you have said, it is round about ZAR 94 billion. With this package, we want to work together on three key initiatives. First, together we invest massively in projects that support the Just Energy Transition Partnership. For example, an investment platform that will boost green hydrogen, batteries, renewables - all strategic industries for the future. We know that others are withdrawing. So here, we want to be very clear with our message: We are doubling down with our support. We are here to stay.

Second, with this package, we are also investing in connectivity. We are investing in transport corridors like the North-South Lubumbashi to Durban route, to upgrade railway and port infrastructure - so important for connectivity. And we are also investing together in digital networks. We will work on fibre and 5G, for example. So that South Africa as a whole country is connected, but also is connected to the rest of the world. Finally, on health. We have both learnt bitter lessons during COVID-19. And therefore, we support your pharmaceutical industry with EUR 700 million. It means vaccines and medication produced in South Africa, for the people of South Africa and the wider African continent. It is in both our shared interest and in the interest of global health that we promote here the pharmaceutical industry. Because we know that diseases know no borders, so we have to join forces to fight them.

This package will already make a big impact on our economies, on the creation of good jobs. Now we have decided to go further. The EU is already South Africa's largest trading partner. We are launching now negotiations on a new generation of trade deal - we call it a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. South Africa will be the first to sign such an agreement. It is focusing on investment, in the clean energy transition - from hydrogen to renewables, you name it -, but of course very much focusing also on skills, on the new technologies of the future. Important is for us that we develop strategic industries from the start to the finished product - creating good jobs and growth, right here in South Africa. We put a lot of emphasis on what you call, dear Cyril, beneficiation. For us it is a key principle that when we invest, it's the local value chains that benefit. It's important for us that the value added stays in South Africa. You will benefit. Our companies will benefit. And I think it is a true win-win.

Our partnership will also extend to critical raw materials. We are here to invest along the full value chain too, from exploration to recycling. And we want to work together on the key industries of the future - I mentioned green hydrogen, but of course also electric vehicles and battery production, for example. I look forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, our teams are working for it, and our plan is that we are able to sign in the margins of the G20.

Finally, dear Cyril,

Together we have launched a global campaign to power Africa with clean energy. As we all know, Africa has enormous potential for renewable energy. The world is finally recognising it. The World Bank has just joined our efforts, which is fantastic news I think. We call it scaling up renewables in Africa. And together, we want to deliver cleaner, more sustainable power to millions of people. This autumn, again, in the margins of the G20, we will hold a major pledging event to rally the world around this cause. It will take place in Johannesburg. Today's Global Gateway package and its focus on clean energy is already a significant pledge. And we hope this is a strong signal to others to join this pledge and to contribute.

So President Ramaphosa, dear Cyril, as António already said, we are 100% behind you in making South Africa's G20 presidency a big success. This is going to be the first G20 Summit ever held on the African continent. I think it is a powerful symbol. And it is an opportunity to drive real progress toward a more equitable and sustainable world, in line with your priorities. So, we cannot wait to be back in South Africa. Thank you again, Cyril, for the warm hospitality and the excellent Summit.