President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to undertake working visits to Ireland on 08 October 2025 and to the Belgium on 09 October 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, The Presidency said the President will on Wednesday hold official talks in Ireland with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
“This official visit will consolidate the long-standing and strong relationship between South Africa and Ireland, particularly in science and innovation, higher education and skills development, and trade and investment.
“The visit will elevate cooperation to a strategic partnership, creating new opportunities to enhance trade and investment between the two countries, and highlighting South Africa’s strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), of which Ireland is a member,” the Presidency said.
The leaders are also set to discuss global and regional geopolitics as well as bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
A historically significant relationship, rooted in mutual respect and common values, binds the two countries. Ireland’s principled stance in support of the anti-apartheid movement exemplified this bond, reflecting its deep commitment to human rights and social justice.
“The ongoing collaboration between the two countries shows how important working together is to address shared challenges and to foster understanding and cooperation for a more harmonious future,” the Presidency said.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Ireland grew by 12% to $638 million in 2024 from $567 million in 2023. South Africa increased its exports to Ireland by 40.4%, from $119 million in 2023 to $168 million in 2024. South Africa’s imports from Ireland also grew by 5%, from $448 million in 2023 to $470 million in 2024.
Ireland is an invited guest country to the G20, alongside Nigeria, Egypt, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and the UAE.
While on the working visit, President Ramaphosa will also meet with leading Irish companies to promote investment and collaboration.
Working Visit to Belgium
At the invitation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Ramaphosa will participate in the Global Gateway Forum (GGF) in Brussels, Belgium, from 9 to 10 October 2025.
The European Union’s Global Gateway initiative serves as its external investment strategy, aimed at enhancing smart, clean, and secure connections across digital, energy, and transport sectors, while strengthening health, education, and research systems worldwide.
Led by President von der Leyen, the GGF brings together Heads of State and Government, senior representatives from governments, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to explore innovative strategies for scaling up European investments in partner countries.
Building on the success of the inaugural forum in 2023, this year’s event will focus on advancing global connectivity amid growing geopolitical and geo-economic challenges. Heads of State and Government from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe, as well as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, are expected to attend. A high-level South African business delegation will also participate.
The visit to Brussels follows recent engagements between President Ramaphosa and President von der Leyen on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as well as the successful 8th South Africa–EU Summit, held in March 2025.
The summit reaffirmed the strong Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the European Union. As a bloc, the EU remains South Africa’s largest trade and investment partner, as well as an important development cooperation partner.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande; Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela; and Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi, along with senior government officials. – SAnews.gov.za
