South Africa

A Partnership in the Process of Consolidation

The President of Republic’s visit to South Africa on February 28th and 29th, 2008, marked a very significant step in our bilateral engagement. In particular, the President of the Republic delivered an historic speech before the South African Parliament in Cape Town (Cape Town Speech) regarding the new directions of France’s African policy (renegotiating and publishing defense agreements; reworking the Africa-France summits; doubling the AFD’s action in the private sector; creating a support fund for SMEs in Africa and a €250 million investment fund; etc…).

The state visit by President Jacob Zuma to France, from March 1st to 3rd 2011, helped consolidate and formalize the strategic partnership, marking a shared desire to seek out common positions on major global issues – reforming the UN Security Council, innovative financing mechanisms for development, and the fight against climate change – and strengthening our economic and trade relations.

On the occasion of these high-level exchanges, the two countries agreed to boost the partnership framework established in 1997 and develop several annual political, military, and economic fora, (policy dialogue forum, joint defense committee, strategic defense dialogue, economic dialogue forum).

A Multifaceted and Multisectoral Civilian Cooperation

With an historically limited presence in the region, France has emerged as a leading foreign donor in South Africa, thanks to the spectacular growth of AFD investments.

The Partnership Framework Document (PFD) signed on March 3rd, 2011 by our Cooperation Minister, Henri de Raincourt, and South Africa’s Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, provides for French commitments in the amount of €1 billion for 2011-2013. Following the one signed in 2006, the new PFD provides for priority support from France for strengthening essential infrastructures in South Africa, particularly in the water, transport, and energy sectors, in order to contribute to improving the South African population’s economic and social situation. It also provides for supporting the productive sector. Lastly, it seeks to support the fight against global warming and promote regional economic development.

When the new PFD was signed, two agreements were also signed by the AFD’s Director General with his counterparts from South African companies receiving assistance (Financing Agreement on Modernizing the Cape Town Airport for €200 million; protocol regarding building a dam ensuring the water supply for the greater Durban metropolitan area, for an anticipated amount of €70 million).

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