PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is ready to lead a fresh wave of intra-African trade and investment, using his official visit to Côte d’Ivoire for the Africa CEO Forum as a springboard to strengthen economic ties across the continent.
Writing in his weekly From the Desk of the President newsletter, Ramaphosa said the forum—expected to host over 3,000 delegates in Abidjan—offers a strategic opportunity to engage investors, multinational leaders, and policymakers on business innovation and cross-border collaboration.
‘South Africa is greatly encouraged by a new wave of continental business expansion,’ Ramaphosa said. ‘We are forging ahead to deepen investment and trade with the rest of the continent in a manner that contributes to shared prosperity for all Africa’s people.’
AfCFTA at the centre of SA’s vision
Ramaphosa underscored the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), calling it a transformative tool for building a predictable and integrated market that spans the continent.
‘Since the advent of democracy in 1994, our government has implemented several initiatives to promote trade and investment elsewhere on the continent,’ he noted. ‘We are now witnessing the benefits of these efforts.’
According to the latest trade data from the South African Revenue Service, exports to neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Namibia have increased. Ramaphosa said South African companies already operating across Africa are well positioned to expand even further.
Business-led growth and innovation
Ramaphosa said the global economic climate presents an opportunity for African nations to pivot towards a trade policy that prioritises regional value chains and industrialisation.
‘South African business must be at the forefront of the transformation of African industry,’ he said. ‘As government, we are committed to providing supportive policy and regulatory frameworks.’
He also made a strong pitch for African companies to invest in South Africa, highlighting its highly diversified economy, competitive industrial sectors, and global leadership in digital innovation.
South Africa ranks second in sub-Saharan Africa on the Global Innovation Index, with a rapidly growing ecosystem of tech start-ups and creative industries.
Structural reform to attract investors
Ramaphosa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to structural economic reforms to improve competitiveness and attract investment. These include:
- Reducing the cost of doing business
- Upgrading transport and energy infrastructure
- Reforming the visa regime to draw skilled workers
- Investing in education, skills, and digital capability
‘These reforms began under the sixth administration and continue today under the Government of National Unity,’ he said. ‘We are positioning South Africa as a premier hub for trade, innovation, and investment on the continent.’
