Programme Director,

Her Excellency Ms Charlotte Lobe, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of Singapore,

Distinguished representatives of the Government of Singapore,

Leaders of business and industry,

Representatives of Wesgro, Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry South Africa (IWFCI South Africa), the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute (CMMI), the Progressive Business Forum (PBF) and our valued partners,

Members of the diplomatic corps,

Entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and business leaders from South Africa and Singapore,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is both a privilege and a pleasure to join you today at the South Africa Focus Week 2026 Business Forum here in Singapore.

Allow me, at the outset, to extend my sincere appreciation to the South African High Commission in Singapore, together with all the organisations and stakeholders who have contributed to making this important gathering possible. The commitment and energy invested in bringing together government leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, academics and innovators from both our countries demonstrate the growing strength and strategic importance of the South Africa-Singapore relationship.

Today is about much more than a business forum.

It is about building partnerships.

It is about creating opportunities.

It is about connecting ideas, people and markets.

And ultimately, it is about shaping a future of shared prosperity between South Africa, Singapore and the wider regions we represent.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We gather at a time when the world economy continues to experience significant change and transformation.

Technological advancements are redefining industries. New digital platforms are reshaping commerce. Artificial intelligence is changing the nature of work. Sustainability considerations are influencing investment decisions. Global supply chains are evolving, and new economic centres of growth are emerging.

In this environment, countries can no longer rely solely on traditional approaches to development and trade.

Success increasingly belongs to those who collaborate, innovate and build partnerships across borders.

This is precisely why forums such as today’s are so important.

South Africa and Singapore have much to offer one another.

Singapore stands as a globally respected hub for finance, technology, logistics, innovation and international trade. Through visionary leadership and strategic planning, Singapore has established itself as one of the world’s most connected and competitive economies.

South Africa, meanwhile, remains one of Africa’s most sophisticated and diversified economies. We are home to globally recognised industries in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, technology, energy, tourism, creative industries and advanced research.

More importantly, South Africa continues to serve as a gateway to a continent that represents one of the most exciting economic frontiers of the 21st century.

Africa’s population, entrepreneurial spirit, urbanisation and digital transformation are creating tremendous opportunities for investment, innovation and economic cooperation.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has further strengthened those opportunities by creating the largest free trade area in the world by number of participating countries.

For companies in Singapore and across Asia, South Africa offers not only access to our domestic market but also a strategic platform through which to engage the broader African continent.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As the Government of South Africa, we remain committed to fostering an environment that encourages investment, supports innovation and promotes sustainable economic growth.

Our focus is clear.

We are working to strengthen infrastructure.

We are improving the ease of doing business.

We are advancing industrialisation and localisation.

We are investing in skills development.

And we are creating opportunities for greater participation by women, youth and emerging entrepreneurs in the economy.

These efforts are driven by a simple understanding: meaningful economic growth must be inclusive.

The benefits of trade and investment should not be limited to a select few. They must translate into jobs, skills, opportunity and prosperity for our people.

This is why I am particularly encouraged by the broad representation present at this forum today.

The participation of organisations such as Wesgro, TED, SACCI, IWFCI South Africa, the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute and the Progressive Business Forum reflects a collective commitment to inclusive economic development.

Your work supports enterprises that contribute to economic growth while opening doors for broader participation in business and trade.

The growing role of women in business leadership, international trade and entrepreneurship deserves particular recognition.

Women continue to be powerful drivers of innovation, resilience and economic transformation across our continent and globally.

Similarly, young entrepreneurs are reshaping industries and creating solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.

Our responsibility is to ensure that the ecosystems supporting these entrepreneurs continue to grow and flourish.

Distinguished guests,

The relationship between South Africa and Singapore has evolved steadily over the years, built upon mutual respect, friendship and a shared commitment to international cooperation.

Today, our cooperation extends across a range of sectors including trade and investment, education, innovation, technology, skills development and people-to-people exchanges.

Yet I firmly believe that the potential of our partnership remains far greater than what we have achieved thus far.

There are opportunities before us in advanced manufacturing.

There are opportunities in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

There are opportunities in renewable energy and sustainability.

There are opportunities in fintech and financial services.

There are opportunities in agribusiness, food security, healthcare, logistics and smart city development.

And there are opportunities for collaboration between universities, research institutions, think tanks and innovation hubs.

The question before us is not whether opportunities exist.

The question is how effectively we can work together to unlock them.

That is why today’s programme is so valuable.

The discussions taking place during this forum are important.

However, equally important are the business-to-business engagements that will follow.

Because meaningful partnerships are often born from conversations.

An investment is often born from a meeting.

Innovation is often born from collaboration.

And success is often built through relationships developed over time.

I therefore encourage all participants to approach today’s engagements with ambition and openness.

Seek out new partnerships.

Explore new markets.

Share ideas.

Challenge assumptions.

And most importantly, look beyond immediate transactions toward long-term relationships that create sustainable value.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Economic diplomacy remains an important pillar of South Africa’s international engagement.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is committed to advancing partnerships that promote trade, investment and shared prosperity.

Across the world, our diplomatic missions serve as facilitators, connectors and advocates for South African business.

In Singapore, the South African High Commission continues to play an outstanding role in strengthening economic ties between our countries.

I wish to acknowledge and commend High Commissioner Charlotte Lobe and her dedicated team for their leadership in convening South Africa Focus Week and for their ongoing efforts to position South Africa as a trusted and attractive partner in this dynamic region.

Events such as these are not simply calendar activities.

They are investments in relationships.

They create platforms where ideas become projects, where introductions become partnerships, and where partnerships become tangible outcomes that benefit our nations and peoples.

Friends and colleagues,

The challenges facing the global economy require cooperation rather than isolation.

They require innovation rather than hesitation.

They require partnerships rather than fragmentation.

South Africa stands ready to work with Singapore and with partners across Asia to build a future that is more prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and innovative.

Let us use this forum as a catalyst for new opportunities.

Let us strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones.

Let us continue building bridges between Africa and Asia.

And let us ensure that when we look back on this gathering, we can point not only to productive discussions but also to concrete outcomes that generated investment, created jobs, advanced innovation and strengthened the enduring friendship between South Africa and Singapore.

I wish you fruitful deliberations, successful meetings and a rewarding South Africa Focus Week 2026.

Thank you for your attention.

Ke a leboga.

Ngiyabonga.

I thank you.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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