President Cyril Ramaphosa has signalled a new era of economic collaboration with Mozambique, spotlighting opportunities for South African importers and exporters in key sectors amid rising bilateral trade volumes.
Import and export businesses stand to gain from strengthened trade ties with the country after Ramaphosa and his counterpart Daniel Chapo wrapped up the fourth session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) with commitments to boost cooperation in energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and transport.
The BNC, established in 2015 as the primary platform for guiding bilateral relations, has already facilitated over 70 agreements and memoranda of understanding across sectors including agriculture, defence, border management, health, labour, customs administration and investment facilitation.
This latest session, held in Maputo, assessed progress since the 2022 meeting in Pretoria and paved the way for accelerated partnerships that could streamline cross-border logistics and open new markets for SA firms.
Ramaphosa, addressing the media alongside Chapo on Wednesday, emphasised the historic bonds underpinning the relationship and its potential for mutual economic gains.
“We have just concluded a successful 4th Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Mozambique. President Chapo and I concur that we have a historic responsibility to our respective peoples to ensure that current and future generations appreciate the fruits of this strategic relationship.”
He highlighted the role of focused deliberations by senior officials, technical experts and ministers in identifying avenues for deeper cooperation. The signing of several new Memoranda of Understanding marked “a significant development” that would inject momentum into joint programmes across multiple sectors.
For South African import-export businesses, the emphasis on practical implementation is particularly promising.
“We agreed that we need to implement decisions, identify opportunities and explore investment avenues to the mutual benefit of our two countries. South Africa’s development finance institutions, state-owned enterprises and private companies stand ready to be partners,” Ramaphosa said.
Trade data underscores Mozambique’s growing importance. In 2024, goods and merchandise trade reached R119.4 billion, up from R114 billion the previous year, with South African exports to Mozambique totalling R19.4 billion. This positions Mozambique as South Africa’s largest trading partner on the African continent and the fourth globally, offering exporters in agriculture, mining and manufactured goods a key gateway to regional markets.
Ramaphosa noted that South African companies, with extensive investments across the continent, had reaffirmed their commitment to Africa’s development during engagements ahead of the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. The BNC serves as a vital mechanism to support this vision, particularly in sectors central to economic transformation.
“Our countries are endowed with rich natural resources, both on land and offshore. Already, Mozambique is a major trading partner of South Africa. We will work together to explore new vistas of opportunity and possibility,” he said.
Key focus areas include energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, health and financial services – all with direct implications for freight and logistics.
Enhanced cooperation in transport and border management could reduce delays at shared crossings, benefiting road and rail haulers, while agricultural ties could boost exports of SA produce and imports of Mozambican commodities.
Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of defence and security cooperation, including border management, as essential enablers of economic growth.
A highlight of the visit was the launch of a major Sasol gas processing facility in Inhambane Province, described by Ramaphosa as “another shining example” of effective neighbourly cooperation. The project illustrates how public-private partnerships can drive investments, potentially increasing energy exports and creating freight opportunities in the gas sector.
In his remarks at an official dinner on the eve of the BNC, Ramaphosa underscored the importance of the partnership.
“Mozambique is South Africa’s largest trading partner on the African continent and the fourth in the world. We are committed to growing this partnership in a mutually beneficial manner.”
Source: SAnews.gov.za
