Important bilateral engagements
German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul visits South Africa

MP Stephan Mayer, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag, German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul, HSF Resident Representative, Hanns Bühler, and the German Ambassador in South Africa, Andreas Peschke, in Pretoria

HSF

The visit of the German Foreign Minister underscores the growing strategic importance of South Africa and the African continent for Germany and Europe. As Foreign Minister Wadephul emphasised, Germany is committed to systematically deepening its cooperation with South Africa. Diversifying supply chains, strengthening energy partnerships, expanding trade and investment, enhancing security cooperation, and upholding a rules-based international order can only be achieved in close partnership with African nations.

South Africa plays a pivotal role in this regard. Earlier this year, Germany and South Africa elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the depth and breadth of our political, economic, scientific, and people-to-people ties. With around 600 German companies operating in the country, South Africa remains Germany's most important strategic partner on the African continent and a gateway to markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.

German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul giving a keynote address at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg

HSF

Our discussions focused on opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Germany and South Africa, as well as the important role that middle powers can play in addressing today's global challenges. The exchange with Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul, Stephan Mayer, MP, and our Resident Representative, Hanns Bühler, reaffirmed a clear message: Africa is not the continent of tomorrow—it is the continent of today and an indispensable partner in shaping prosperity, security, and stability.

In his keynote address at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Foreign Minister Wadephul underlined: "Particularly at a time of growing global economic uncertainty, we need more cooperation, not less." He also described South Africa as "an indispensable member of the G20" and called for a reform of the United Nations system that gives African countries a stronger voice in global governance.

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