Русский
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov was in South Africa last week attending the G20 Foreign Ministers meetings. During that event, he met with Ronald Lamola, the South African Foreign Minister. The two underscored the need for closer foreign policy coordination at the United Nations as well as the G20 and BRICS, highlighting the significance of the countries’ bilateral dialogue in global diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov and Lamola also exchanged views on pressing international issues, paying particular attention to the Palestinian crisis and broader developments in the Middle East and North Africa. They acknowledged the need for a shared approach to conflict resolution across the African continent and stressed the role of the African Union in maintaining stability and security. Russia is to open another seven Embassies in Africa by 2026.
Lavrov also met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, where discussions focused on strengthening the Russian-South African partnership, particularly with regards to political, trade, economic, and scientific-technical cooperation. Both sides also highlighted potential projects in space exploration and emphasized continued collaboration in global forums.
Russian trade with South Africa has been slowly increasing and reached about US$1.5 billion in 2024. Direct shipping services have been reestablished, while Russian investors are looking into opportunities as diverse as gas refining, nuclear waste management, electrical equipment manufacturing, and viniculture amongst others. Russia exports mainly wheat and fertilizers, while South Africa exports mainly agricultural produce.
Further Reading
BRICS, Russia, and South Africa: Developments and Implications
