Overview
- International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola outlined a refined economic diplomacy at a Sandton working dinner convened at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction following the EU Gateway announcement.
- Government and business have established the Committee for the Coordination of Economic Diplomacy to align DIRCO and the dtic in unlocking opportunities across the continent.
- A proactive investment facilitation framework, anchored in the Protection of Investment Act of 2015, is being developed to offer regulatory support, improved market intelligence and stronger risk‑mitigation through foreign economic offices.
- The strategy targets stronger regional value chains—especially in critical minerals and manufacturing—with a focus on raising intra-African trade as AfCFTA implementation advances.
- Ramaphosa urged CEOs to expand across Africa, citing improving domestic fundamentals including a path to a primary budget surplus, progress on ports and rail, better electricity supply, removal from the FATF grey list and an S&P sovereign upgrade.