Von der Leyen in South Africa: begins talks on a new trade and investment agreement

President Ursula von der Leyen  and President António Costa are attending the EU-South Africa Summit in Cape Town to strengthen Europe’s strategic partnership with the country.

During the Summit, Europe and South Africa agreed to launch talks on a new generation of trade agreements: a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.

South Africa will be the first country to sign such an agreement with the EU. It will focus on investment, the transition to clean energy, skills and technology, and the development of strategic industries throughout the supply chain, thus creating quality jobs in Africa. The leaders also agreed to expand their cooperation to essential raw materials.

To launch this new chapter in EU-South Africa relations, President  von der Leyen  announced a  Global Gateway Investment Package worth €4.7 billion  .

The majority of the package (€4.4 billion) will be invested in projects that support a clean and fair energy transition in the country.

This represents a significant commitment in the context of the ”  Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Africa” ​​campaign  , launched by President  von der Leyen  and President Ramaphosa in conjunction with the G20 Summit in Rio. In partnership with Global Citizen and supported by the International Energy Agency, the campaign will culminate in a major pledging event at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

The Global Gateway package also focuses on  connectivity infrastructure, both physical and digital, and boosting the local pharmaceutical industry  .

For more information European Commission.