COMMUNIQUÉ
WORKING VISIT BY THE DEPUTY-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA PAUL MASHATILE: A SUCCESS TO BE CONTINUED
The Embassy of South Africa to France would like to thank all the stakeholders and partners who made the working visit of Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile to Paris a success. For four days (from 20 to 24 May 2025), the Deputy-President and his high-level delegation comprising ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials from both the public sector and CEOs of state-owned enterprises as well as business leaders, explored existing business and new economic trade relations between South Africa and France through round tables, interviews and site visits of major French companies (RATP, Suez Global Waste Management Company, Dassault Systèmes and Meridiam).
The highlight of this visit was the South-Africa-France conference on investments held on Wednesday 21 May in the presence of a hundred South African companies and numerous representatives of major French groups.
This conference offered investors the opportunity to explore diverse investment opportunities in key sectors, such as agriculture, mining, green manufacturing, and tourism, while also fostering new trade and investment avenues, exchanging ideas, and forging partnerships to drive our economies forward.In addition, the Conference consisted of a high-level segment by government officials who led on thematic discussions related to investment opportunities, policies, and the investment climate in South Africa.
This conference, which was of an exceptional level and attendance, led to the following conclusion: South Africa is and remains a country open to investment and international trade and France has many opportunities to seize in this context.
In his speech to a large audience, the Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa stressed: “South Africa remains a competitive business and investment hub despite global economic challenges. Our goal is to unlock significant opportunities across various sectors, promoting sustainable economic growth and inclusive development while maximising trade and investment opportunities.”
As part of his programme, Deputy President Mashatile delivered an address at UNESCO’s headquarters in the context of the Transforming MEN’talities campaign, an initiative aimed at changing mindsets and promoting gender equality.
On the 22nd of May, the Deputy President met with His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, where discussions focused on strengthening trade and diplomatic cooperation as well as cooperation in multilateral fora.
President Macron welcomed the outcome of the conference to host the “Investment Conference” on a biennial basis to take stock of established partnerships and explore other areas of cooperation. The Deputy-President Paul Mashatile, for his part, committed to stenghening the economic relations between the two countries and doubling trade with France.
The day after, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa met with his counterpart, Prime Minister of the French Republic François Bayrou, who appreciated the success of the inaugural South Africa-France Investment Conference that allowed businesses to present South Africa as an attractive investment and trade destination.
The South African Embassy in Paris
26/05/2025
