EU-South Africa Partnership Amid Rising US Tensions

In response to escalating tensions with the US, the European Union and South Africa are strengthening their collaboration. At the EU-South Africa summit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €4.7 billion investment package for South Africa.

This initiative aims to support the transition to clean energy and enhance vaccine production. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of cooperation among like-minded partners during global uncertainty.

The partnership seeks to reduce South Africa's coal dependency and foster regulatory collaboration, building on a previously terminated US-supported energy partnership. Despite positive outlooks, concerns of potential neo-colonialism in the green transition were noted.

The partnership also includes investments in mineral wealth and green energy, addressing humanitarian crises, and countering insurgencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EU remains committed to a fair energy transition, as outlined during the COP26 summit.