It is imperative that improved action is taken, using relevant diplomacy, to better use
international partnerships.
The need for South Africa (SA) to expand and diversify its international economic partnerships assumes a
new urgency in the light of the turbulence in the multi-polar global context, much of which is increasingly
impacting SA. Of special note are recent troubles in the SA-USA relationship taking place simultaneously
with new uncertainties in the relationships between the USA and many other countries, these having
rippling effects internationally. Many new broader uncertainties impact SA inter alia especially because
many negatively affect SA’s major trading partners China and the European Union (EU). The overall
potential implications for the SA economy are overwhelmingly negative.
An expected end to preferential access for SA, and possibly Africa, to the USA markets through the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and possible harsher measures, is especially worrying.
It is essential that SA and Africa accelerate moves towards greater self-reliance, on both a national and
regional basis, to help isolate them to a greater extent from any negative effects emanating from the
broader international context while remaining strongly involved in multilateral structures. In this
international partnerships remain particularly important with trade and investment flows being critically
relevant driving factors.
SA must urgently craft and implement improved diplomatic strategies to expand and diversify its
economy with international interaction being of major importance as a catalytic factor.
In order to improve its international position it is imperative for SA to best utilize the exceptionally good
range of events available to it this year as well as improve mechanisms for doing so both in terms of
policy and structures. Especially important is for SA to increasingly taking advantage of the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Although SA’s Presidency of the G20 this year comes at an inopportune time for the country, largely due
to the current global situation and SA’s position in it, the event nevertheless offers unprecedented
opportunities for promoting the results needed as noted above. Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield of the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) recently stressed the G20 as a forum for the
largest economies in the world, having unique multi-sector opportunities for SA as well as Africa to
leverage economic opportunities. He especially related this theme to the Green Economy which has
special relevance for developing economies including Africa.
Of special importance also was the recently held EU-SA summit held, the first since 2018, which has
helped re-vitalise the relationship with the EU pledging Euro 4.7 billion for physical and social
infrastructure development as well as other items. The annual AfriCanada Economic Summit in March
and the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August with the
focus on innovative solutions are among other great events this year for utilisation.
In expanding its international relationships, apart from Africa which remains of key relevance, it seems
particularly important for SA to double down on strengthening its existing partnerships with its main
economic partners while growing others which offer quick gains. This helps underline the importance of
the EU, en bloc SA’s largest economic partner and developmental support partner, and the
abovementioned summit as well as the EU-African Union (AU) summit later in the year where SA, the
EU’s only institutionalized strategic partner in Africa, can play a major role.
The EU remains a stable reliable partner and also offers an especially diverse range of options for
collaboration including the bio-economy and sustainable clean energy in both of which the EU is a world-
leader, sectors with especially important potential for Africa. The success of the African commercial
forestry sector well illustrates what can be achieved in developing downstream differentiated value-add
supply chains, something which the African sugar sector would like to duplicate and the challenged
energy sector hopes to be associated with alongside growing its challenged supply capacities.
Apart from the EU and China key economic partners also include the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan to
which Deputy President Paul Mashatile has just been on a working visit. As with the EU the current
profile of the latter two can be possibly described as being particularly diverse with trade linked to
differentiated value-add supply chains, opening many options.
Other important partners possibly underutilised include many on the Indian Ocean littoral. The lack of
any meaningful economic agreements by SA with Japan and the Republic of Korea are among those
possibly especially needing urgent attention at this time.
Perhaps especially underutilized by SA are those with India and South-East Asia (ie the ASEAN bloc).
While SA which has no economic agreements with either they are establishing close institutionalized
arrangements with the EU thereby also opening-up possibilities for trilateral cooperation having SA as a
key anchor.
A new SA overall strategy to improve concerted efforts, inclusive of all stakeholders and especially
business, to better access these opportunities and others seems urgently needed. SA is reportedly indeed
working on strategies as to how to improve access to other markets and sending multi-stakeholder
delegations to key partners especially the USA but these actions are long overdue. They should become
regular not only at times of crisis, possibly upgraded to a broader permanent national level which can be
regularly reviewed. All this needs to be coordinated with a redesigned foreign policy where practicalities
and emerging economic realities are taken into account continually.
There is urgent need for more outreach activities especially given weakened commercial capacities at
many SA missions abroad as exemplified by them having no longer having representatives from the
DTIC. The luxury no longer exists of SA business being represented abroad by offices of the former
South Africa Foundation, which did outstanding work that included facilitating the peaceful move to a
full democracy in 1994.Its successor Business Leadership SA (BLSA) has a different mandate. Business
Unity SA (BUSA) generally lacks capacity as illustrated by its hiring McKinley to handle business
activities during SA’s G20 Presidency.
The business sectors of SA competitors, such as Brazil for example, are well equipped for international
outreach in key global markets both at diplomatic offices and with representational offices of institutional
business. Economic interests of SA and indeed most of Africa are completely under-represented at
government and business levels.
It is imperative that improved action is taken by SA for itself and in support of Africa, supported by
relevant diplomacy, to better utilise international partnerships. This can have internal as well as
international dimensions involving various stakeholders but having business among its key participants.
Dr John Maré is a former South African diplomat now an adviser on international public
affairs and diplomacy. John Maré: jhemare@worldonline.co.za
The article was first published in the Business Day on 9 April 2025.
