Foreign Minister Lamola Visits Germany within the Framework of the BNC South Africa and Germany

Prior to the Bi-National Commission meetings between South Africa and Germany on 13 and 14 April, representatives of the German Federal Foreign Office, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) and the South African Embassy in Berlin had an engaging session of the working group on foreign and security policy.

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Ozzy Lamola began his working visit to Berlin on 13 April with a briefing at the South African Embassy before holding his first official meeting with Federal Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul (CDU) at the Federal Foreign Office. The two ministers co-chaired the 12th German–South African Bi-National Commission, where they led consultations on bilateral relations, multilateralism, UN reform, and key peace and security issues affecting regions including Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. These engagements set the stage for coordinated discussions across multiple intergovernmental working groups.

At a joint press briefing, both ministers emphasised that the outcomes translate shared priorities into practical initiatives aimed at sustainable development and long-term economic growth.

The plenary session and signing ceremony marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties, with both sides endorsing a Joint Action Plan to guide future cooperation. The agreements focused on priority areas such as trade and investment, energy transition, climate action, science and innovation, and skills development, including support for South Africa’s just energy transition through renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical minerals partnerships.

On 14 April 2026, the outcomes of the Berlin meetings were consolidated and communicated following the previous day’s Bi-National Commission session. The ministers Lamola and Dr Wadephul continued engagements around the implementation and significance of the agreements reached, particularly the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the adoption of the Joint Action Plan. The discussions emphasised sustained coordination on multilateralism, peace and security, and democratic resilience, reinforcing the role of both countries as aligned “middle powers” in a volatile global context. A key focus highlighted on the day was the practical impact of the agreements, especially in economic and climate cooperation. Germany confirmed a €200 million concessional loan to support South Africa’s energy transition, alongside expanded collaboration in green hydrogen, critical minerals, and industrial development. Both sides also stressed continued diplomatic alignment on global issues and support within international platforms such as the G20, with South Africa noting Germany’s backing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Following his keynote at the South Africa–Germany High-Level Business Dialogue at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Minister Lamola emphasized the growing importance of reliable partnerships amid global uncertainty, highlighting the shared commitment of South Africa and Germany to rules-based trade, industrial innovation, climate responsibility, skills development, and inclusive growth. As both countries enter a new phase of economic cooperation, the focus now shifts to implementation, investment mobilisation, and industrial collaboration, building on a strong foundation that includes initiatives like “Partnering in Business with Germany,” which has supported over 300 South African exporters since 2019.

On 15 April 2026, Minister Lamola, addressed the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVWM) in Berlin as part of South Africa’s broader diplomatic and economic programme in Germany. The Minister’s address focused on strengthening trade and investment ties between South Africa and Germany, and on promoting South Africa as an attractive investment destination, particularly in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and critical minerals.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle correspondent Simon Young, Minister Lamola responded to accusations from Donald Trump regarding alleged persecution of white South African farmers and rejected claims that his government prioritizes international issues over the everyday challenges faced by its citizens. He argued that South Africa’s genocide case against Israel has significantly influenced global public awareness. 

South Africa filed the case at the International Court of Justice in December 2023. Since then, a growing number of countries have echoed its criticism of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip, which began after the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023. 

|+| Joint Press Statement

|+| Minister Lamola briefs the media 

|+| Strategische Partnerschaft mit Südafrika

|+| Interview with Deutsche Welle (C) Deutsche Welle

|+| <- Back to: Embassy