South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed the prestigious Order of South Africa on Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during his State Visit to South Africa on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The Order is the highest honour that South Africa bestows on its citizens and distinguished foreign nationals.
During the state visit, the two leaders engaged in extensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral agreements and enhancing diplomatic relations between their nations. President Ramaphosa congratulated President Lourenço on his re-election in August 2024 and expressed his anticipation to co-host the inaugural South Africa–Angola Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting in Luanda in 2025.
“I am delighted that you will be hosting the inaugural session of the BNC in Angola next year.” said Ramaphosa, “Co-chairing this first session with you will be an honour, especially given that it will be during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angolan independence.”
President Ramaphosa highlighted the strong economic ties between the two countries, noting that approximately 20 South African businesses have a presence in Angola. South Africa’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Angola spans across various sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, and tourism. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has also invested in key projects in Angola, including the Cabinda Oil Refinery and the Cabinda phosphate project.
President Ramaphosa encouraged Angolan companies to explore investment opportunities in South Africa. He also mentioned the Lobito Trans Africa Corridor project, which connects the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, and Angola to global trade markets via the Port of Lobito, has attracted interest from South African businesses, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994, Angola and South Africa have signed over 44 agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment, amongst others. Trade relations between the two nations have been fruitful, with total bilateral trade exceeding R13.5 billion in 2023.
President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of collaboration on mineral resource beneficiation within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“We see the African Continental Trade Agreement as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, and we must take advantage of the system of preferential terms provided to signatories.” Said Ramaphosa, “As both Angola and South Africa strive to accelerate the pace of industrialisation, we need to build mutually complementary capabilities in manufacturing and value-addition of products.”
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Pan-Africanism and the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue. President Ramaphosa called for deeper cooperation in addressing African conflicts, including the Eastern DRC, Sudan, and post-electoral crises in Mozambique.
President Ramaphosa also used the occasion to reaffirm South Africa’s call for reforming global governance structures, particularly the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), advocating for permanent representation for the Global South.
“The Global South must have permanent representation and a voice on the UNSC, so that it reflects global demographics and realities. We stand firm in our call for multilateralism to remain at the centre of global affairs, whether it is dealing with conflict or responding to climate change.” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa recently assumed the Presidency of the G20 from Brazil and will host the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil in 2025. President Ramaphosa assured that South Africa will use the presidency to promote the development priorities of Africa and Global South nations on the G20 agenda.
The two leaders also participated in the inaugural South Africa-Angola Business Forum, hosted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The forum brought together ministers, ambassadors, and business leaders from both countries, fostering dialogue and collaboration aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
