South Africa and the United Kingdom have agreed to enhance trade and defense cooperation, following a meeting between their foreign ministers on Tuesday. The two nations aim to strengthen economic growth, with a particular focus on rural job creation and increased South African exports to the UK.
As Britain’s top trading partner in Africa, South Africa exported goods worth 133 billion rand ($7.62 billion) to the UK last year, including precious metals, vehicles, and agricultural products. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, joined by South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, emphasized the commitment to a “UK-South Africa growth plan” to reinvigorate their economic ties, which have faced recent challenges.
The two countries also agreed to deepen defense cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, and discussed shared objectives for a just energy transition.
