Media Statement

21 May 2023

Minister Pandor to attend the Launch of the Ninth Pan-African Congress in Lomé, Togo

At the invitation of the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad, HE Prof Robert Dussey, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor has arrived in Lomé, Togo, to attend the Launch Ceremony of the Ninth Pan-African Congress to be held on Monday, 22 May 2023.

Minister Pandor will also use the opportunity of her visit to Lomé to hold bilateral meetings with her Togolese counterpart, Prof Robert Dussey, and other Ministers attending the Launch Ceremony.

The Ninth Pan-African Congress Launch Ceremony comes after the African Union Assembly adopted in February 2023 a decision to endorse the “Progress Report on activities and prospects for the establishment of the High Committee in charge of the Agenda for the Decade of African Roots and Diaspora”.

South Africa played a key role in getting the Diaspora process on the agenda of the African Union. South Africa sponsored a decision, which was adopted by the First Extra-ordinary Summit of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to amend the Constitutive Act to “invite and encourage the full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union.”

South Africa support of the African Diaspora agenda has, in recent times, seen several developments, most notably the African Union’s Declaration of 2021-2031 as the Decade of the African Roots and Diasporas and The Africa and African Diaspora (AAD) Virtual Conference, held on 23-29 October 2021, in South Africa.

South Africa and Togo enjoy good diplomatic relations and these relations were formally established with the signing of the Declaration of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on 5 January 1997.

South Africa does not have a Diplomatic Mission in Lomé and manages the relations through its Embassy in Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin. Togo established the Embassy in Pretoria on 18 October 2015.

Nedbank and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) are the second and third largest shareholders in the Lomé head-quartered Pan African Bank and EcoBank. Togo is hoping to benefit from South African expertise in areas such as industry, agro-processing, energy and the port and airport sector. Asky, the Togolese airline, is now flying between South Africa and Togo.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Togo total totalled USD 67 398 000 in 2021. Bilateral trade is in favour of Togo. South African exports to Togo totalled USD 24 829 000 in 2021.  South African imports from Togo totalled USD 42 569 000 in 2021 (trade map, 2023). South African imports are in the main, mineral fuels from Togo. Togo’s investment attractiveness in terms of foreign direct investment flows (FDI) is positive. Total FDI inflows increased from USD 46.31 million in 2016 to USD 129.89 million in 2021 (Investment map; 2023).

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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