Category: President of South Africa

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director; 
Minister for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure – Mr Sihle Zikalala;
Deputy Governor of Ogun State in Nigeria, Her Excellency Engineer Noimot Salako;
Representative from the African Union, Ms Sophia Ashipala;
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President in Zimbabwe, Engineer Amos Marawa;
UNESCO Regional Director: Professor Martiale Zebaze-Kana
Conference Chair and FAEO Past President Southern Africa – Engineer. Martin Manuhwa;
ECSA President – Ms Refilwe Buthelezi and members of ECSA;
President-Elect of the World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO): Engineer. Mustafa Shenu
President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisation  
(FAEO): Engineer. Papias Kazawadi Dedeki
Presidents and Registrars of Engineering Organisations;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning. 

It is with great pleasure that I address you today on this highly anticipated 9th UNESCO Africa Engineering Week and the Africa Engineering Conference, where we join to celebrate and advance engineering excellence in the African region.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Federation of African Engineering Organisations Executive Board for allowing the Engineering Council of South Africa to organise this week-long programme. 

We would also like to warmly welcome renowned experts and thought leaders from the public and private sectors who will share sectoral knowledge and experiences, as well as ground-breaking research and innovative ideas.  Your valuable insights and expertise will drive discussions on shaping a more sustainable and brighter future for Africa through engineering excellence.

The theme for this year’s conference, “Celebrating and Growing Engineering Excellence in the African Region,” resonates deeply with Agenda 2063, which harnesses the potential that lies within the continent and uses it as a lever for change in the continent and globally. 

The conference, aligned with its designated theme, aims to convene individuals from the engineering field to recognise and comprehend the developing technological advancements and industry patterns in the African continent. It further seeks to celebrate engineering excellence in the African continent, which boasts engineering innovations that are researched, designed, created, and maintained by the same professionals in this continent.

Africa’s vast land mass and rich natural and mineral resources make it strategically important and an increasingly significant global player. It is also a dynamic and young continent, with around 40 percent of the population aged 15 years and younger, compared to a global average of 25 percent in 2022. Thus, as a continent, we must leverage this enormous potential by strengthening efforts towards attaining the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, which includes elevating Africa through improved education and applying science and technology in development. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, engineering is the backbone of any society and plays a role in shaping our world. As a scientific practice, engineering drives technological advancements, infrastructure development, and economic progress. Behind every remarkable architectural achievement, whether towering structures or intricate technological devices, is the profound expertise and innovative thinking of highly skilled personnel.

In the African continent, our engineering capabilities exhibit remarkable breadth and depth. Throughout history, African engineers have left an indelible mark on our continent, from the Pyramids to the Great Mosque of Djenné. Today, African engineers play a crucial role in shaping our future. They are at the forefront of ground-breaking projects, addressing pressing challenges in the energy, water, transportation, freight and Logistics and communications sectors.

Over the past 50 years, there has been massive infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has had and will have much impact on Africa’s economy and the well-being of its people. According to the Africa Infrastructure Development Index, South Africa ranks in the top five countries in Africa with the best public infrastructure alongside Seychelles, Libya, Egypt and Mauritius. This is a crucial development index because infrastructure development plays a key role in ensuring fast economic growth and alleviating poverty and must be prioritised across the region. We still need to do much on this development index as a continent.

We must remember that infrastructure investment has always been a crucial step for development, leading to many nations changing the trajectory of their economies during economic turmoil. Since the 1930s and after World War II, economies have recognised the need for innovative and sustainable interventions to kickstart economic growth. Developing nations have long argued that investing in infrastructure has a positive socio-economic impact, which remains vital to economic recovery efforts.

Considering that our continent is plagued by numerous socio-economic challenges, such as access to water, food and energy, among other things, it is necessary that we also emphasise the importance of infrastructure as a way to address some of these. Investing in world-class infrastructure contributes significantly to the quality of life of citizens as well as the competitiveness and attractiveness of countries, regions and cities. 

State-of-the-art infrastructure is the veins and arteries of any modern economy and prosperous society. Equally, sustained investment in public infrastructure can also serve as a stimulus to growth, employment creation, spatial transformation and social integration by connecting communities and linking producers to markets. 

Significant support already exists through the African Development Bank, specifically the recently signed Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, the Development Bank of South Africa and governments across the continent have committed to achieving growth through an infrastructure transformation agenda that creates possibilities for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to thrive.

Thus, as you deliberate over the next few days, ladies and gentlemen, it is prudent to consider how, as leading engineers in the continent, you can contribute to the African Union’s shared vision of economic integration and transformation in specific and more compelling ways. 

Perhaps it may be vital that you think about ways to fast-track developments in the rail network and role infrastructure to quicken the efforts towards the ease of movements of products from Cape to Cairo. For example, this conference also allows us to collectively explore the avenues for integrating economic activity across the continent. 

This, of course, requires, among other things, acknowledging the strides made in engineering but also considering a more robust and global approach to cultivating excellence in this field. 

In the vast continent of Africa, engineering education has encountered numerous formidable challenges that have hindered its progress and development. These challenges encompass a wide range of issues, including but not limited to insufficient funding and resources in quantity and quality.

Various reports in academia and public discourse have highlighted the limitations in diversity and inclusion, particularly regarding the inclusion and retention of women and other marginalised groups. The engineering industry still struggles to retain its female workers, although there have been notable changes in the consulting engineers’ industry to drive more inclusivity and diversity. 

The underrepresentation of women and other marginalised groups within the sector is a global phenomenon that is primarily structural and calls for strategic interventions that respond to challenges that marginalised groups face, such as unconscious bias, a lack of workplace flexibility, unclear promotion paths and limited roles for women. 

Additionally, the scarcity of adequate facilities has further exacerbated the situation, making it even more difficult for aspiring engineers, especially those among the underrepresented demographic groups, to receive the necessary training and opportunities within the sector.
  
It is, therefore, essential to bridge the gaps in our education systems, promote research and development, and foster an environment that enables inclusion and professional growth for engineers already in the field. Allowing not only engineering practitioners but also academic and training pipeline of trainers. 

One of the key ways to achieve this is through collaboration and knowledge sharing. We must strengthen partnerships between academia, industry, and governments to create platforms for engineers to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and collaborate on innovative solutions.  Events like this conference provide networking opportunities, showcasing best practices and discussing strategies to promote engineering excellence.

Furthermore, we must inspire and empower the next generation of engineers by instilling a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in our youth. Most importantly, we need to change the mindset of Africans by training them to create African solutions for African problems. This may involve establishing specialised engineering training programs tailored to the continent’s unique challenges. 

Making the necessary shifts in this regard calls for significant investments in quality education, especially in underserved areas. We can unlock the potential of talented young Africans by ensuring they have the necessary skills to contribute to our continent’s growth. 

We must, as such, foster an environment that supports innovation in several ways, such as research and development, industry partnerships, and, most importantly, creating policies and regulations that incentivise innovation. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we are unable to fulfil our energy requirements. This reality has adversely affected our economy due to prolonged load shedding diminishing accessibility to essential social services, including healthcare and education. As the government, we are addressing this issue by increasing maintenance requirements on existing and ageing infrastructure, high investment and capital required for new energy assets, and social and economic implications for a Just Energy Transition.

In this regard, we welcome the pledges supporting South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, which now stands at $11.9 billion. The country is mobilising additional finance, including grants, to facilitate the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy. This will help reduce the impact of load shedding while keeping our environment clean. 

Hence, we should not transition in the dark as other nations are beginning to transition, but it will be done on our terms, which are informed by our objective conditions. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, as the South African government, we have committed to prioritising investment in infrastructure across the public sector. Together with better infrastructure maintenance, we are determined that these investments will make a big difference in people’s lives and draw more investment in our country and continent. 
I am pleased that during the Federation of African Engineering Organisations Annual Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on the 27th of January 2023, there were notable resolutions taken to closely lobby for partnerships with the African Union (AU) and its organs, the AfCFTA Secretariat and national governments of all 54 African countries towards the implementation of the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063 of the AU.

The coordination and collaboration with the above partners towards the implementation of the AfCFTA and the development of robust frameworks for engineering education and practice are informed by accurate data on engineering capabilities, quality and quantity of human capital that will be critical to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, AU Agenda 2063 and other developmental aspirations.

One notable benefit of implementing AfCFTA is harmonising standards and regulations within the engineering profession by the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO). This initiative aims to facilitate the digitisation of the database for engineering practitioners, thereby establishing a dependable and credible source of engineering services data through professional engineering institutions across Africa. The digitisation of the engineering practitioners’ database will facilitate business transactions within Africa by promoting market access to products and services by all the stakeholders and mobility of engineering personnel.

This initiative of creating a single market of engineers is a strategic imperative of Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want and calls for partnership models, robust frameworks for engineering education and practice informed by accurate data of engineering capabilities, quality and quantity of human capital needs, developmental aspirations and economic development.

For South Africa, this entails ECSA strengthening its partnerships with its stakeholders, including voluntary associations, industry bodies, academia, and government, to actively contribute to creating the ideal African continent.

We can make AfCFTA’s vision of a borderless Africa a reality by working together to eliminate tariffs on most products, standardise customs procedures, promote free movement of people and capital, and inspire entrepreneurialism and foreign investment.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we embark on this week-long celebration and conference, let us renew our commitment to engineering excellence in Africa. Let us harness our collective expertise, creativity, and determination to address our continent’s unique challenges. 

Together, we can pave the way for a future where engineering is central to Africa’s growth and prosperity. As the government, we believe you will emerge from this conference with mechanisms to inform better, direct policy, and collaborate with us to identify more efficient ways to fund projects in your sector. 

Let us seize this opportunity to celebrate our achievements, learn from one another, and forge a path towards a brighter future through engineering excellence in the African region.

Thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a working visit to the United States of America, where he led South Africa’s participation in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.  

The President delivered South Africa’s National Statement on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, under the theme “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”.

On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, President Ramaphosa participated in the Financing for Development Summit.

The  President joined United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Dennis Francis, in advocating for the strengthening and reform of the international financial architecture. 

President Ramaphosa said developing countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic world order. 

“Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south,” said President Ramaphosa. 

The President also addressed the Climate Change Summit, hosted by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where the President joined the call by African leaders for action in the implementation of the recently adopted Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action.

The declaration recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

President Ramaphosa said: “Financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

“As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

“With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrialisation.”

The President described South Africa’s participation at the UNGA78 as progressive as it continued to advocate for the reform of the United Nations Security Council and reiterated South Africa’s support for the United Nations Secretary-General’s ambition of  U$ 500 billion a year to meet the UN-driven global sustainable development goals.

On the sidelines of UNGA78, President Cyril Ramaphosa held several bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening strategic political, diplomatic, and trade ties.

These included discussions with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu; Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, and President Emmerson Mnagangwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe. 
 
Another highlight of the President’s Working Visit to the United States was the joint announcement by the South African and United States governments of South Africa’s hosting of the 20th US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum,  (AGOA Forum) in Johannesburg from 2 to 4 November 2023.

President Ramaphosa welcomed this development as an expression of South Africa’s intention to remain part, beyond 2025, of the trade partnership enabled by the United States’ Africa Growth and Opportunity Act.

This trade relationship carries mutual benefit for South Africa and the United States, as part of the broader cordial and strong relations between the two countries.

In his assessment of UNGA78 President Ramaphosa said: “The United Nations General Assembly is an important and strategic platform for South Africa, where we are able to interact at a high level multilaterally and bilaterally. 

“We have engaged in meaningful discussions that will contribute to the development of our country and our continent. I go home with my spirits lifted and enthused that the challenges we face will be resolved as we continue working with our social partners and business at home, and our trade and diplomatic partners globally.” 

The President was accompanied by a delegation of Ministers that included the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy; Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; and Minister in The Presidency for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President  –  +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Source: President of South Africa –

President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis,
UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres,
Your Excellencies,

We have witnessed with increasing alarm the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, unsustainable production and resource scarcity on human health and well-being. 

As countries across the globe seek practical ways to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple crises, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to set the global economy on a more equitable, environmentally sustainable and low-carbon developmental trajectory.

Despite having little responsibility for causing global warming, Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world. Like other parts of the Global South, the continent is significantly affected by climate change. 

As such, climate actions cannot be separated from the drive for sustainable and inclusive development. 

The science sends a clear message that the world is not on track to meet the goals contained in the Paris Agreement.  

This Climate Ambition Summit must therefore instill the necessary urgency and propel the actions that we need now to prevent the destruction of our planet and the devastation of our societies. 

Developed economy countries in particular must act with urgency to accelerate the reduction of emissions, fulfil their obligations and honour past promises.

Earlier this month, African leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action, which recognises that decarbonising the global economy is an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity.

To achieve this vision of economic transformation, African leaders have called on the international community to support efforts to massively increase Africa’s renewable energy capacity by 2030.

They are seeking investment in smart, digital and efficient green technologies to decarbonise the transport, industrial and electricity sectors in African countries.

They have called for support to strengthen actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, deforestation and desertification. And to boost agricultural yields through sustainable agricultural practices.

Structural reform is needed to promote transitions that are just and inclusive.

Global and regional trade mechanisms must enable products from Africa to compete on fair and equitable terms. Trade-related environmental tariffs and non-tariff barriers must be the product of multilateral agreements. They must not be unilateral, arbitrary or discriminatory.

The multilateral financial system must build resilience to climate shocks and better leverage the balance sheets of multilateral development banks to scale up concessional finance. Developing economy countries also require new, predictable public finance to support climate adaptation and build resilience to loss and damage.

The system needs to provide interventions for debt management and relief to prevent debt default. The actions necessary now must not place an undue burden on the citizens of tomorrow.

Financing for climate action should respect the right of all countries to pursue their own development pathways while taking into account their specific national circumstances.

As South Africa implements its ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution, which is aligned to the Paris Agreement temperature goals, we see new opportunities for green growth and development.

With abundant solar and wind resources, with significant reserves of critical minerals, South Africa is positioning itself to be a leader in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable industrialisation.

Due to regulatory changes and a surge of investment, South Africa has a confirmed pipeline of renewable energy projects in development that are expected to produce in excess of 10 gigawatts of electricity. 

South Africa has established a Just Transition Framework to ensure that climate actions adhere to principles of procedural, restorative and distributive justice.

We are committed to building resilience to the impact of climate change and reducing our emissions in ways that are appropriate to our national circumstances and development pathways.

As South Africa, and as the African continent, we are working to give substance to our assertion that no country should ever have to choose between development aspirations and climate action.

This Summit must demonstrate that the leaders of the world are committed to to ambitious climate actions that are inclusive, comprehensive and leave no one behind.
    
I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President of the UN General Assembly, Amb Dennis Francis,
UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres,
Your Excellencies,

Humanity is confronted with the convergence of a climate crisis, recession, increasing conflict, environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, deepening poverty and unacceptable levels of hunger.

When the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was agreed upon, the overarching principle was that the most vulnerable would receive the support they needed.

Yet, at a time when solidarity was needed most, agreed international commitments were not honoured. Principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities are not being respected.

Four decades since the right to development was established by the United Nations as a human right, the failure to act on commitments to support development is deepening the divide between the global north and south. 

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda provides concrete plans for supporting development and we again call on our partners to support these plans. 

We welcome numerous initiatives to assist the most pressing needs of countries in dire stress. These include the Food Shock Window, Resilience and Sustainability Trust and the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment.

However, sustainable and inclusive growth requires that more be done. 

We must strengthen and reform the international financial architecture. 

Developing economy countries must participate equally and meaningfully in the decision-making process of the international economic order.

The mandates of multilateral development banks must be reframed to respond to the needs of developing economies. 

We must assert the principle of country ownership. 

Multilateral development banks should support projects and programmes that are aligned to the development priorities and climate commitments of these countries.

The international tax system must reflect the diverse needs and capacities of both developed and developing economies. 

More innovation is required to enable the private sector to play a greater role in addressing the finance gap. This includes a new approach to blended finance with a focus on the developmental impact of investments. 

Credit ratings of developing economies, and African economies in particular, need to be based on economic fundamentals and not on subjective assessments. 

Public finance is critical for development. 

Developed economy countries need to fulfil their commitment to contribute at least 0.7 percent of their Gross National Income towards Official Development Assistance. They also need to fulfil their commitment to mobilise 100 billion dollars a year to tackle climate change. 

As South Africa, we therefore welcome the recommended actions contained in Secretary-General’s Report on ‘Our Common Agenda’.

In the interests of our common progress and the survival and prosperity of future generations, we must act now.

South Africa encourages all world leaders, global institutions and private sector partners to work together to address the current crises, close the finance divide, reduce inequality, eradicate poverty and make sure that no-one is left behind.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Mr Dennis Francis, 
United Nations Secretary-General Mr António Guterres,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Seventy-eight years ago, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the nations of the world made a solemn commitment to save future generations from the horror and the suffering of war.

Through the United Nations Charter these nations accepted a shared mandate to foster peace and to promote fundamental human rights, social progress and a better standard of life for all. 

And yet, as we gather here, much of humanity is confronted by war and conflict, by want and hunger, by disease and environmental disaster.

Solidarity and trust between states is being eroded. 

Inequality, poverty and unemployment are deepening.

In these conditions and in the wake of a devastating global pandemic, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals seem increasingly remote.

At the moment when every human effort should be directed towards the realisation of Agenda 2030, our attention and our energies have once again been diverted by the scourge of war.

But these woes, these divisions, these seemingly intractable troubles, can and must be overcome.

Over millennia, the human race has demonstrated an enormous capacity for resilience, adaptation, innovation, compassion and solidarity.

At this moment, we are all called upon to reaffirm these essential qualities that define our common humanity.

These qualities must be evident in how we work together as a global community and as nations to end war and conflict.

Democratic South Africa has consistently advocated for dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to prevent and end conflict and achieve lasting peace. 

It has committed itself to the promotion of human rights, human dignity, justice, democracy and adherence to international law. 

From the experience of our own journey from apartheid to democracy, we value the importance of engaging all parties to conflicts to achieve peaceful, just and enduring resolutions. 

It is these principles that inform South Africa’s participation in the African Peace Initiative, which seeks a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

In this conflict, as in all conflicts, we have insisted that the UN Charter’s principle of respect for the territorial integrity of every country should be upheld.

Our participation in the African Peace Initiative is informed by a desire to see an end to the suffering of those most directly affected by the conflict and the millions on our continent and across the world who, as a result of the conflict, are now vulnerable to worsening hunger and deprivation.

As the international community, we must do everything within our means to enable meaningful dialogue, just as we should refrain from any actions that fuel the conflict.

As we confront other conflicts in several parts of the world, including on our continent Africa, we need to be investing in prevention and peacebuilding. 

We support the call by the UN Secretary-General in the New Agenda for Peace for Member States to provide more sustainable and predictable financing to peacebuilding efforts. 

As a global community, we should be concerned by recent incidents of unconstitutional changes of government in some parts of Africa.

The global community needs to work alongside the African Union to support peace efforts in the eastern DRC, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Central African Republic, South Sudan, northern Mozambique, the Great Lakes Region, the Sahel, Niger and the Horn of Africa.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has declared that it stands ready to deepen its cooperation with the UN Security Council to silence the guns on the African continent and to achieve peace, stability and development.

We are called upon to remain true to the founding principles of the United Nations, by recognising the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination in line with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions. 

We must work for peace in the Middle East. For as long as the land of the Palestinians remains occupied, for as long as their rights are ignored and their dignity denied, such peace will remain elusive. 

The actions of the Government of Israel have imperiled the possibility of a viable two state solution. 

The principles of the UN Charter on territorial integrity and on the prohibition on the annexation of land through the use of force must be applied in this situation.

South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba, which has caused untold damage to the country’s economy and people.

Sanctions against Zimbabwe should also be lifted as they are imposing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans.

As many people around the world are confronted by hunger and want the essential human qualities of cooperation and solidarity must be evident in the actions we take to bridge the divide between wealthy and poor. 

We must summon the necessary will and resolve to regain the momentum towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. 

This means that we must address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world. 

To address the developmental challenges that face many people in the world we required targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support, especially in key areas such as industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. 

This also requires predictable and sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies, from the international community.

We call on our partners from wealthier countries to meet the financial commitments they have made.

It is a great concern that these wealthier countries have failed to meet their undertakings to mobilise 100 billion dollars a year for developing economies to take climate action.

We support the proposals outlined in the Secretary-General’s Sustainable Development Goals Stimulus. 

In particular, we support the call to tackle debt and debt distress, to massively scale up affordable long-term financing to 500 billion dollars a year, and to expand contingency financing to countries in need. 

It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people.

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals depends fundamentally on the empowerment of women in all spheres of life.

Social and economic progress will not be possible unless we end gender discrimination. We must ensure that there is equal access for women to health care, education and economic opportunities.

We must pay particular attention to the provision of adequate health services to every woman, child and adolescent. By doing so, we will fundamentally improve the health and well-being of all.

The empowerment of women must be central to the actions we now take towards the realisation of Agenda 2030.

The essential human qualities of innovation and adaptation must be evident in the actions we take to prevent the destruction of our planet.

Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world. 

We are told that of the 20 climate hotspots in the world, 17 are in Africa. 

Centuries after the end of the slave trade, decades after the end of the colonial exploitation of Africa’s resources, the people of our continent are once again bearing the cost of the industrialisation and development of the wealthy nations of the world.

This is a price that the people of Africa are no longer prepared to pay.

We urge global leaders to accelerate global decarbonisation while pursuing equality and shared prosperity.

We need to advance all three pillars of the Paris Agreement – mitigation, adaptation and support – with equal ambition and urgency. 

African countries, alongside other developing economy countries, need increased financial support to both implement the 2030 Agenda and achieve their climate change goals in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

We need to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters, as agreed at COP27.

Africa has embraced this challenge.

Africa is determined to deploy smart, digital and efficient green technologies to expand industrial production, boost agricultural yields, drive growth and create sustained employment for Africa’s people.
 
As the global community, we must ensure the essential qualities that define our humanity are evident in the institutions that manage the conduct of international relations. 

We require institutions that are inclusive, representative, democratic and advance the interests of all nations.

We require a renewed commitment to multilateralism, based on clear rules and supported by effective institutions.

This is the moment to proceed with the reform of the United Nations Security Council, to give meaning to the principle of the sovereign equality of nations and to enable the council to respond more effectively to current geopolitical realities. 

We are pleased that the Common African Position on the reform of the Security Council is increasingly enjoying wide support. 

This process must move to text-based negotiations, creating an opportunity for convergence between Member States. 

We must ensure that the voice of the African continent and the global South is strengthened in the United Nations and broader multilateral system.

All the peoples represented here in this United Nations had their origins in Africa. 

In Africa, they developed the tools and capabilities to spread across the world and achievable remarkable feats of development and progress.

Despite its history, despite the legacy of exploitation and subjugation, despite the ongoing challenge of conflict and instability, Africa is determined to regain its position as a site of human progress.

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, which is creating a wider seamless trading area of low tariffs and accelerated interconnectivity, African countries are mobilising their collective means and resources to achieve shared prosperity. 

Through the African Continental Free Trade Area, African countries are establishing the foundation for a massive increase in trade, accelerated infrastructure development, regional integration and sustainable industrialisation. 

As the global community, we have the means and we have the desire to confront and overcome the enormous challenges that face humanity today.

As the nations gathered here in this General Assembly, let us demonstrate that we have both the will and the resolve to secure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for our world and for the generations that will follow.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Ms Nzinga Qunta;
Co-hosts of the 24th DCVMN AGM: Dr Morena Makhoana, CEO of Bio-Vac, and Rajinder Suri, CEO of DCVMN
Mr Azhari;
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyseus, Director General WHO
Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO (CEPI)
Dr Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., Director (PAHO)
Dr Nicaise Ndembi, Senior Advisor to DG of the Africa, Communicable Disease Centre (CDC)
Prof. Padmashree Gehl Sampath, CEO, African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, and Senior Advisor to President Pharmaceuticals & Health, African Development Bank Group
Director General of Health, Dr Buthelezi;
Senior government officials here present;
CEOs of the various Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers’ Networks;
Esteemed guests;
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good Morning,

I wish to convey the apology on behalf of our President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, who would have loved to be here with us. 

Unfortunately, the President is attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), taking place in New York, the United States of America. 

Programme Director,

South Africa is proud to host the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) for its 24th annual general meeting, under the theme, “Accelerating Sustainable Regional Vaccine Manufacturing through Global Partnerships.

This remarkable event, which brings together a diverse array of over 300 delegates hailing from various corners of the globe, serves as a testament to our commitment to global health and unwavering determination to contribute to the well-being of communities worldwide.

As co-hosts of this year’s DCVMN AGM, Biovac must be applauded for their efforts in bringing this important conference to our shores. We are proud that a South African vaccine firm is co-hosting an event of this importance and magnitude, as it also speaks to our domestic sector’s capacity and potential.

The DCVMN is an important, voluntary alliance that represents over 40 vaccine manufacturers from 15 developing countries and produces the most vaccines globally.

Today, I deliver this speech with a profound sense of purpose and urgency. You have gathered here at this crucial vaccine conference to address a matter of utmost importance, not only for our beloved nation but for the entire continent of Africa.

This AGM follows the highly successful BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg last month, which brought together heads of state and business leaders from across the developing world.

Significant commitments were made at the summit to collaborate in order to meet mutual development goals for the BRICS members and broader developing nations. These revitalised bonds and commitments across the Global South represent an important opportunity for DCVMN’s members to leverage.

The goal of equitable vaccine access, especially as the globe recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, is a core outcome sought by BRICS members and other groupings in the developing world, as well as a key enabler of the social and economic goals set at the summit.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the foundations of our world, exposing vulnerabilities in our healthcare systems and the global vaccine supply chain. We have witnessed the devastating impact of this virus on our lives, our economies, and our communities.

It has been a stark reminder that we are all interconnected, and no one is safe until everyone is safe.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical sector plays a vital role in ensuring public health, and the impact of this crisis on their operations cannot be underestimated.

As DCVMN members deliberate the path to accelerating sustainable regional vaccine manufacturing through global partnerships during this year’s AGM, we are hopeful it will lead to outcomes that dovetail with the continent’s efforts.

Africa, like many regions, faced significant challenges in securing sufficient vaccines during this pandemic. In an ever-evolving world, we cannot remain reliant on external sources for vaccines and pandemic readiness.

It is crucial for professionals in this field to continuously improve and update their skill sets. With new diseases and health challenges emerging, it is imperative that we have skilled individuals who are equipped to develop innovative solutions.

Skill development is not just about staying up-to-date with the latest scientific advancements. It is also about fostering a mindset of learning and adaptability.

By improving our skills, we can adapt to patient and industry needs. Continuous learning and development help us solve complicated challenges, make smart decisions, and improve patient care. It also provides new personal and professional growth opportunities. New talents boost our capacities and work prospects. Skills development also encourages professional teamwork and knowledge exchange.

I encourage each and every one of you to embrace skill development in the pharmaceutical industry. As government, we believe that addressing skills deficits in the economy and implementing intervention plans to develop human resources is essential to developing the South African economy and ensuring higher rates of employment.

By embracing a growth mind-set and investing in our skills, we contribute to the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry and, most importantly, we improve the lives of countless individuals who rely on the medications and treatments that we develop.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a continent, we have taken bold and decisive steps towards self-sufficiency in vaccine manufacturing and pandemic preparedness through the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacture (PAVM), which is coordinated through the Africa CDC. I urge you to support this initiative in its bold aim to achieve 60% of vaccines manufactured on the continent by 2040.

We have also taken bold steps in our own country of South Africa, where three of our own companies, Biovac, Aspen, and Afrigen, have invested time and resources in expanding vaccine production capability.

We are equally proud to host the WHO mRNA Hub that is being hosted at Afrigen, with Biovac being earmarked to be the first recipient of this cutting-edge technology. This capability, together with the oral cholera vaccine project being developed by Biovac, will enable vaccine drug substance capability (i.e. the raw material manufacture), which is lacking in the country and the continent.

This is a testament to South Africa playing a leading role in our collective quest to have end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capability in Africa. Africa is not lacking in talent, expertise, or resources. What we lack is a robust and coordinated effort to harness these capabilities.

It is time for us to invest in the development of our pharmaceutical industry, ensuring that we have the capacity not only to manufacture vaccines but also to conduct critical research and development.

Developing a safe and effective vaccine requires extensive testing, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals. The pharmaceutical industry has faced significant pressure to expedite the development process due to the urgency of the pandemic.

However, ensuring safety and efficacy remains paramount, leading to a delicate balance between speed and thoroughness.

We must build partnerships with the global community, which includes the DCVMN community, to transfer technology, knowledge, and expertise to our shores. By doing so, we can create a thriving pharmaceutical industry that not only meets our domestic needs but also contributes to the global fight against infectious diseases.

Moreover, pandemic readiness is not just about vaccines; it encompasses the entire spectrum of healthcare infrastructure, from diagnostics to treatment and beyond. We must invest in strengthening our healthcare systems, training our healthcare workers, and stockpiling essential medical supplies.

In our pursuit of self-reliance and pandemic preparedness, let us not forget the importance of collaboration. 

We must work hand in hand with our fellow African nations, sharing knowledge and resources, and with the global community to achieve these ambitious goals.

As you deliberate over the next three days, let us be united in our determination. 

Let us commit to building a brighter future for Africa, one where we are not just recipients of vaccines and aid but producers and champions of our own health and well-being.

I envision an Africa that is resilient in the face of pandemics, an Africa that provides hope and health to its people, and an Africa that contributes to the well-being of the entire world. Together, we can make this vision a reality, but only with the support of the global vaccine community.

I wish all delegates fruitful and constructive conversations over the next three days and hope that those visiting from overseas have an opportunity to explore some of Cape Town’s world-class tourist attractions during their stay in our beautiful country.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Mr Scott Eisner, President of the US-Africa Business Center, US Chamber of Commerce,
Mr Stephen Kehoe, Chair, US-Africa Business Center,
Mr Cas Coovadia, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa,
Honoured guests, colleagues and friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to spend some time with you today, in this conversation with American business representatives.

As business leaders, you will be aware of the global challenges that provide the backdrop against which your companies seek to grow and provide a return to investors.

These global challenges include climate change, which is reshaping policy agendas and firm-level strategies. These challenges include technological innovation, including the rise of artificial intelligence, and more complex geo-politics, characterised by heightened tension between global powers.

Global prosperity has been founded on greater levels of openness and engagement between nations and people. 

In recent decades, a more open, rules-based trading system, complemented by deeper levels of cross-border investment, has helped to sustain and grow global GDP. It has helped to increase employment in many countries and spur innovation and new technologies.

Yet the heightened tension of this moment has led to fragmentation, hostility and increasing protectionism.

For South Africa, a divided world is not a good thing. We are a trading nation, with above average trade-to-GDP ratios. A significant part of our economic growth is driven by exports.

We believe that the voices advocating greater dialogue and continued economic engagement between nations need to be strengthened.

Multilateralism has served humanity well. While the rules have not always been appropriate for many developing economies, particularly on the African continent, they are better than unilateralism and the exercise of might. 

It is far better to change the rules and make them fairer than to live in a world without rules. 

We have an ambitious trade and investment agenda.

First, we are finalising the modalities for the imminent launch of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

We expect that the first goods to be traded under this free trade pact would commence within the next six months or sooner. 

The AfCFTA as it is called, will cover 1.3 billion consumers in countries possessing some of the world’s most valuable minerals and raw materials.

Second, we are working with the US Administration to make the case for the extension of AGOA to current beneficiary countries, for a further period of 10 years, prior to its expiry in 2025. 

The US remains a very important economic partner in trade and investment, with great potential to further expand economic ties. 

There are a reported 600 US firms based in South Africa, and more firms will find value in being present in South Africa in the next phase of our growth.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, US firms in South Africa generate over $30 billion of revenue per annum.

Third, we have an Economic Partnership Agreement with both the European Union and the United Kingdom. Trade flows continue to be very significant. Exports of manufactured goods, particularly of automotive products, have grown.

Fourth, we are expanding our trade links with countries in the Middle East, ASEAN, Mercosur and within the BRICS group. These include some of the fastest-growing economies. They are a source of capital for our industry and markets for our goods. 

Accompanying this trade agenda, we have embarked on far-reaching economic reforms. 

The energy market is being restructured. The public electricity utility, Eskom, which has faced severe challenges, has improved maintenance of its generation fleet and has received debt relief from the State to strengthen its financial position. Private energy generation, specifically in renewables, constitutes a growing share of total energy generated.

Since the implementation of regulatory changes the pipeline of private sector generation projects has increased to over 100 projects representing more than 10,000 MW of new capacity.

South Africa’s location requires an efficient transport logistics system. This is to enable us to move goods between the main industrial heartland and port cities and to act as the hub for moving products from and to other African countries. 

Following a period of under-investment in ports and rail infrastructure, we are now working closely with the private sector to use the wider pool of skills available to improve the logistics system.

The economic reform agenda is also focused on expanding our industrial capacity. The availability of critical raw materials in South Africa and in neighbouring countries is driving efforts to expand high-value manufacturing. This is a real opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. 

African growth rates provide a stable growth in aggregate demand over the next decade and more. As the recently published African Economic Outlook for 2023 noted:

“Growth is projected to rebound to 4 percent in 2023 and consolidate at 4.3 percent in 2024, underpinning Africa’s continued resilience to shocks.” 

The report goes on to say: 

“Africa is endowed with 30 percent of the world’s mineral resources and 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, the world’s most productive forests both in timber and carbon retention resources, and ample solar, wind, and hydropower.” 

With this kind of potential, savvy investors will be expanding, as I noted earlier,  their base in South Africa and the rest of the continent. 

Our economic reform agenda also includes targeted measures to open the market for more South Africans to participate. 

What we refer to as transformation of the economy helps to build long-term stability and growth. Our efforts to open digital markets represent an example of this, as does the use of flexible measures such as the equity equivalent investment programme that a number of US corporations, most recently CitiBank, have used. 

And so too the efforts to provide share ownership options to employees in companies, as has been done by Pepsico in South Africa. These are all examples of good corporate practices to broaden economic participation and ensure sustainability. 

I spoke earlier of industrialisation. This is a big focus for us. I must commend companies like Coca-Cola who have embraced it fully and have been strong and reliable partners in development of the local industrial capacity in the South African economy. We look forward to more companies following this example. 

Skills development is both a necessity in a period of fast-changing human resource needs of firms, and an opportunity for us. We have a large population of young people, a growing number of who are attending university and other higher education institutions. 

A focused effort to expand workplace exposure for graduates, coupled with a shift to technical education and the teaching of maths and science, will enable South Africa to build a larger resource of skilled workers. 

This focus on skills is vital to our ambitious investment drive. 

We have just concluded the first 5-year phase of our investment drive, raising R1.5 trillion in commitments from firms across the economy. These range from automobiles to pharmaceuticals, mining, the digital economy, manufacturing, energy, transport logistics and many others. 

We have now increased the target over the next five years to R2 trillion.

To appreciate the great opportunities in our economy, I invite you to the next South Africa Investment Conference to be held in March 2024. 

The investment drive includes an expansion of special economic zones, the most recent of which was built around the Ford Motor Company’s plant in the capital city, Pretoria. Around ten large factories now produce components for the scaled-up Ford plant. 

Infrastructure investment is a special focus, with increased investment in energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water. 

The reform of our visa system is underway, with increased visa-free travel. The focus is now shifting to business visas and work permits, where we are prioritising senior executives and scarce skills, so that the short-term constraints in skill availability does not impede growth. 

Finally, we are working on ways to expand the greening of our economy. This includes renewable energy generation, proposed green hydrogen pilot projects and the development of a roadmap for electric vehicle production.  

Africa is ready for new investment and strong partnerships.

South Africa is well positioned as the continent’s industrial centre, with deep capital markets, the rule of law, protection of property rights and a dynamic and youthful population. 

The significant presence of US companies operating in South Africa, including Ford, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Procter & Gamble, Google, Amazon and Walmart, among many others, forms a base for increased investment. 

I am pleased to hear that the US Africa Business Council and BUSA will be hosting the inaugural business and investment forum on the margins of the AGOA Forum scheduled to be held in South Africa in November 2023. 

This platform will present our respective governments, private sectors and civil society with numerous opportunities to advance our trade and investment relations. 

I look forward to our discussions and encourage your candid views. 

I also look forward to welcoming all of the companies present here today to South Africa in November this year during the AGOA Forum. We will have a Made in Africa Expo and I hope I will see procurement heads and CEOs from all of the companies present here today, attending the Forum and Expo; and that we can generate more orders to companies operating in SA, as part of our efforts to industrialise. 

I look forward to building and strengthening business relationships that will accelerate growth, enable commercial success and ensure prosperity for both our countries. 

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
Ministers of Health and Delegates,
Leaders of Specialised AU Organs,
Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to thank Africa CDC for inviting us to co-host this critical meeting on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

In the same way as we responded to COVID-19, Africa’s pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts should be defined by unity, solidarity and coherence. 

Africa should set its own agenda to fit into the global plans. 

Africa is justified in seeking to achieve self-reliance in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, or PPPR. 

Africa experiences over 100 infectious disease outbreaks a year, most of which we manage to contain. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa emerged as a leader in genomic surveillance. On two occasions, we were the first to alert the world to new COVID-19 variants. 

The relative success of Africa’s COVID-19 Response Strategy should be studied and documented. We need to understand the effect of factors such as the high degree of cross-border cooperation, local expertise, the relatively young population and the impact of partnerships. 

These learnings can form the basis of an informed, proactive strategy.

Together, we built a solid foundation for PPPR by strengthening our public health institutions. We initiated a pharmaceutical manufacturing strategy, established a model for continent-wide pooled procurement and exposed African products to the global market through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform. 

We also focused on economic recovery issues. Our special envoys helped raise $ 200 million in Special Drawing Rights for the continent and negotiated that our member states be prioritised for access to those funds. 

We have a window of opportunity to maintain political will and investor interest to drive significant investments towards developing regional PPPR capacity. We need to focus on a few critical areas:

Firstly, we need strong, sustainable, digitally-empowered primary health care systems and we need community-responsive national public health institutes. Because outbreaks happen at the community level, information must travel faster than the pathogen. Health services must be able to reach vulnerable groups, including those in conflict settings.

Secondly, we need real-time surveillance and good cross-border cooperation. 

Thirdly, we need a capable and fit-for-purpose workforce. We need to urgently establish the health workforce task team to operationalise health workforce development. With such a large young population, Africa can be the hub of health workforce production to close the global health workforce shortage. 

Fourthly, we need equitable access to medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, through local manufacturing and functional last-mile delivery of goods and services. 

Fifthly, we need predictable financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. 

The Bureau of the Heads of State and Government have agreed to establish the Africa Epidemic Fund. We need to swiftly conclude the necessary statutory processes and replenish the fund. 

As the AU COVID-19 Champion, I have tabled a proposal to establish a regional legal instrument as a PPPR cooperative mandate that would be triggered by a declaration of a public health emergency of continental security or international concern. 

This legal instrument should outline the actions that member states can collectively take and appropriate modalities for the region’s interaction with the world during the next pandemic. 

Pandemic preparedness requires that we achieve our ambitious manufacturing goals. 

This needs to be a collaborative effort that brings together the Africa CDC, the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, AUDA-NEPAD and the AfCFTA Secretariat with other relevant continental and global partners and the private sector. 

We need more investment into research and development, building on our diversified clinical trial expertise and drawing from indigenous knowledge systems. We must encourage the co-development of products to secure ownership of intellectual property. 

The high-level working group on health manufacturing was established to coordinate and monitor the impact of such partnerships. 

The working group will also monitor the progress made by large procurers of health products like GAVI, UNICEF, PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

This follows the Bureau’s call for these procurers to purchase at least 30 percent of the products destined for Africa from African manufacturers.

As we build our regional capacity, we must also position ourselves prominently in the global PPPR negotiations. 

We need a unified voice and common positions to advance the interests of our continent and its people. 

Africa needs to be well represented in key global fora, like the WHO’s consultative process towards an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism, the G20 as part of the AU’s new membership, the G7 MCM Delivery Partnership and the informal Johannesburg process. 

South Africa was a co-chair of Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or ACT-A, and there is much that we can learn from the experience of that initiative. 

We concur with the ACT-A External Evaluation findings that it was not a perfect instrument and fell short of attaining equity. 

It did not contribute as effectively as it could to the last-mile delivery and strengthening of health systems. 

However, ACT-A did establish solid collaborative networks that together raised $ 24 billion in financing, delivered 1,96 billion vaccine doses to low- and middle-income countries and procured over $700 million worth of PPE for health workers.

We can build on this collective capacity whilst addressing the mistakes of the past. 

The combination of climate change and the increased movement of people has caused an increase in the frequency of outbreaks worldwide. 

This means preparation is urgent and will not wait for us to make up our minds at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. 

It is for this reason that we support the establishment of an interim medical countermeasures coordination mechanism. However, it must correct the mistakes of ACT-A and be founded on a firm principle of accountability and fair governance characterised by a partnership of equals. 

We support the WHO consultative process towards establishing this mechanism and that it should align with the determinations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. 

It is heartening that BRICS and some AU member states, along with AU specialised agencies, partners and the private sector, came together on the margins of the recent BRICS Summit in Johannesburg to discuss a possible collaborative framework between our respective nations. 

The BRICS group has enormous health information and biotechnology capacity that can be leveraged for Africa’s manufacturing and PPPR ambitions. 

The deliberations and determinations of this meeting are extremely important as they will form the basis of our contribution at the upcoming AU Summit. 

I look forward to your ideas and guidance.

I thank you.

Source: President of South Africa –

President Ramaphosa, spent the first and second day of his working visit to the United States for the 78th United Nations General Assembly, discussing sustainable development goals and investments to South Africa. 

On Sunday, 17 September, President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with Professor Klaus Schwab, CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to discuss South Africa’s participation at WEF and the progress the country is making on the reforms aimed at advancing inclusive economic growth. The President also met with the United States Congressman Gregory Meeks. Both President Ramaphosa and Congressman Meeks acknowledged the need for greater cooperation between the US and South Africa in tackling global issues that are impacting the African continent, primarily, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Africa. 

Congressman Meeks welcomed the briefing on the conclusion of the investigation into the docking of the LadyR vessel in Simmons Town, South Africa and expressed his commitment to contributing to the strengthening of US-Africa diplomatic and trade relations, and to attending the AGOA forum in South Africa later this year. 

President Ramaphosa concluded his first day of engagements with a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres. 

The two leaders discussed developments related to the reform of the international financial architecture and other initiatives in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the reform of the United Nations Security Council. The Secretary General commended South Africa for its important role in advancing these efforts.  

Addressing the High Level Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) event on Monday, 18 September, President Ramaphosa called on Heads of State and Government to join the Global Leaders Network to champion the women, children and adolescent health agenda. 

“As Heads of State, we can provide leadership and inspire ambitious action. We have the convening power to mobilise our peers and advance policies, programmes and financing initiatives for improved outcomes. As part of our agenda, we must challenge the disregard in many communities and countries for sexual and reproductive health and rights of women”, said President Ramaphosa. 

Speaking at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, President Ramaphosa joined the call to address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterised our unequal world. The President emphasized the need for targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support especially in key areas such as industralisation, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health. The President further underscored the requirement for sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies from the international community.

Later on Monday President Ramaphosa will lead the business roundtable discussions with the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Africa Business Center. President Ramaphosa will use the occasion to position South Africa’s economic reform agenda that is focused on expanding industrial capacity as an opportunity for more US investment that can leverage off the demonstrated manufacturing base of South Africa. 

President Ramaphosa will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Nigeria, H.E Bola-Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the deepening of trade, diplomatic and political ties between Nigeria and South Africa and the current security situation in parts West Africa.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President  –  +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria