Media briefing remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the conclusion of the State Visit by President Ruto Of Kenya, Union Buildings, Tshwane

Your Excellency, President William Ruto,
Ministers from South Africa and Kenya,
Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Senior Government Officials,
Members of the Media,

This morning we were privileged to warmly welcome His Excellency President Ruto and Mrs Rachel Ruto, who are accompanied by a Delegation of Ministers.

Our countries enjoy longstanding ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation.

These ties are rooted in our shared history, our common aspirations for African development and our mutual commitment to peace, democracy, regional integration and multilateralism.

Kenya remains one of South Africa's most important strategic partners in East Africa and on the continent more broadly.

We have just concluded our official engagements which included a one-on-one meeting and official talks.

Later today, we will address the Kenya-South Africa Business Forum.

The Memoranda of Understanding that we have just signed provide a legal framework to further expand our cooperation.

During our engagements, we extensively reflected on our bilateral relations.

We have expressed satisfaction at the current state of our relations, which is coordinated through the Joint Commission for Cooperation at the level of two Foreign Ministers.

Our economic partnership is one of the most strategic pillars of our bilateral cooperation.

Kenya remains South Africa's largest trading partner in East Africa and an important destination for South African investment on the continent.

Leading South African companies have made significant investments in Kenya in sectors such as pharmaceutical services, retail, financial services, information and communications technology, manufacturing, business services and infrastructure development.

South Africa's development finance institutions, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa, alongside private financial institutions are increasingly expanding their footprint in Kenya, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure and private sector development.

We equally welcome the growing participation of Kenyan businesses in South Africa and the strengthening of commercial linkages between East and Southern Africa.

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement provides a unique opportunity for our two countries to further increase trade.

In January 2024, I was pleased to witness the first shipment of exports from South Africa to Kenya under the AfCFTA preferential agreement.

President Ruto and I agreed that the AfCFTA must serve as a catalyst for inclusive growth, industrialisation and job creation.

It should facilitate the development of regional value chains, support African manufacturing and create greater opportunities for young people, women and entrepreneurs across our continent.

Our economic relations are coordinated through the South Africa-Kenya Joint Trade Committee, which met last month.

The Joint Trade Committee reaffirmed the importance of promoting a more balanced and mutually beneficial economic partnership through increased investment, industrial cooperation, skills transfer, technology exchange and support for value addition and manufacturing in both economies.

South Africa is keen to continue exploring opportunities for cooperation in infrastructure development, logistics, transport, energy and related sectors.

South Africa appreciates Kenya's key role as a gateway to East Africa and as one of the leading voices on matters of peace, security and development on the continent.

We reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening the African Union and its institutions and ensuring that Africa speaks with one voice in addressing continental and global challenges.

As vibrant democracies with deep constitutional traditions, South Africa and Kenya remain committed to the principles of good governance, accountability, inclusive development and respect for the rule of law.

In this regard, I conveyed my best wishes to President Ruto and the people of Kenya as they continue preparations towards the 2027 elections.

I also wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Your Excellency, and to the Republic of Kenya for being among the three nations chosen to host the Africa Cup of Nations next year, alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

This is truly a proud and historic moment for East Africa.

This State Visit has further strengthened the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

It has laid a firm foundation for deeper collaboration in trade, investment, industrialisation, infrastructure development, skills development and regional integration.

Together, South Africa and Kenya will continue working to advance prosperity for our peoples and contribute to the realisation of the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision of an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent.

I thank you.