President von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa visited Cape Town to meet South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa at the EU-South Africa Summit.
The summit was a pivotal moment for advancing the strategic partnership with the launch of a new Clean Trade and Investment Partnership and a major investment initiative under Global Gateway worth €4.7 billion.
This Global Gateway Investment Package aims to support the Just Energy Transition Partnership, an initiative from 2022 with South Africa and other global powers to accelerate South Africas decarbonisation.
Focus areas include future-ready industries like batteries, renewables, and hydrogen. President von der Leyen emphasized: “We are committed to supporting South Africas development. We will remain steadfast in our support.”
The investment package will also enhance connectivity in areas such as the North-South Lubumbashi to Durban route, fiber, 5G access, and notably, South Africas pharmaceutical sector. President von der Leyen stated: “Producing vaccines in South Africa benefits both local and global health. We must unite to combat diseases.”
South Africa will be the first to sign a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with the EU, promoting investments in clean energy, raw materials, and strategic industries creating jobs.
President von der Leyen highlighted: “Local value chains must benefit from our investments. This is a win-win for all parties involved.”
Additionally, Presidents von der Leyen, Costa, and Ramaphosa reviewed the “Scaling up Renewables in Africa” campaign, initiated during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
This campaign, supported by the World Bank, seeks to harness Africas vast renewable energy potential. President von der Leyen announced a pledging event at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg to gather global support.
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Statement by President von der Leyen with President Costa and South African President Ramaphosa
Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the plenary session of the EU-South Africa Summit