South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump following his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two nations and setting the stage for stronger US-South Africa ties that could have significant implications for the African continent.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ramaphosa expressed his anticipation for continuing the close and mutually beneficial cooperation between South Africa and the U.S. “Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on your inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. I look forward to deepening the strong partnership between our countries across all areas of cooperation,” Ramaphosa wrote, becoming the first African leader to send his congratulations on the platform.
This statement follows a phone call in November, during which Ramaphosa had already conveyed South Africa’s well wishes to Trump, acknowledging his return to the presidency after a four-year absence. At the time, both leaders agreed on the importance of enhancing their countries’ trade and political relations, with potential benefits for Africa’s broader economic integration.
“During our conversation, we both emphasized the need to bolster our trade ties and foster greater political cooperation,” Ramaphosa said in a follow-up post on X. This agreement underscores South Africa’s role as a key economic and political hub in Africa, with the potential to influence broader continental growth.
Ramaphosa also looked ahead to South Africa’s upcoming role as the host of the G20 summit later this year, where Trump is expected to attend. In December, South Africa assumed the G20 presidency, becoming the first African country to lead the group of the world’s most influential economies.
“The G20 is an essential platform for global governance. While South Africa’s economy may be smaller compared to others in the group, our leadership reflects the strength of our position in global affairs and the strategic decisions we’ve made,” Ramaphosa told reporters upon South Africa’s G20 presidency assumption. This leadership position allows South Africa to amplify African voices on global economic issues, furthering Africa’s aspirations for greater influence in international forums.
South Africa, which boasts the continent’s largest economy, followed by Egypt and Algeria, is leveraging its role in the G20 to assert greater influence on the global stage. As the leading African economy, South Africa’s influence extends beyond its borders, providing opportunities for collaboration and investment across the continent.
As South Africa navigates this leadership role, the government remains committed to advancing its international partnerships, particularly with the United States, as part of its broader foreign policy agenda aimed at advancing Africa’s interests on the global stage.