South Africa and Britain have agreed to strengthen economic and defence ties, according to their foreign ministers after talks on Tuesday. Britain is one of South Africa’s top five export destinations, including precious metals, cars, and agricultural products, making it the country’s largest trading partner on the African continent.
According to South African Revenue Service figures, bilateral trade between the two countries was worth approximately $7.62 billion last year.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, declared, “We’ve committed to a UK-South Africa growth plan that will foster economic development and expand our trade and investment connections.” Although specifics were not revealed, Lammy’s office did highlight a component of the strategy focused on increasing agricultural jobs in rural South Africa to promote exports to Britain.
Lamola stated that the trade and investment partnership has stalled owing to COVID-19 and other challenges, indicating the necessity for a “reset.”
In defence, the two countries agreed to strengthen their collaboration on counter-terrorism measures and addressed common goals, such as advancing a just energy transition. Lammy, on his first official tour to Africa, has previously promised to enhance commercial and security ties with Nigeria.
