We welcome the announcement of a 4.7-billion-euro investment package by the European Union leaders during a visit to South Africa on Thursday 13 March 2025, aimed at supporting the country’s just energy transition. The commitment was made during the first bilateral summit between the EU and South Africa in seven years, marking a significant step in strengthening economic and political ties.

The European agreement has three focus areas — supporting projects complementary to South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy, developing connectivity infrastructure and strengthening the country’s domestic pharmaceutical industry, specifically the development of vaccines. The EU and South Africa already share a strong trade relationship, with the bloc being South Africa’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. We believe South Africa wanted Europe’s support to transition to a low carbon economy and grow industry and we value their support for multilateralism at a time of rising nationalism.