South Africa reaffirms commitment to strengthening relations with France
Official source
Source domain: sanews.gov.za
Collected on 12 July 2026
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13th Defence Strategic Dialogue (expected in South Africa in October 2026)
The two countries agreed to convene the 13th Defence Strategic Dialogue in South Africa in October 2026 to take stock of implementation of the MoU on Defence Cooperation and explore additional areas of cooperation.
- Who it is for
- South Africa and France defence cooperation stakeholders under the MoU
- How to act on it
- No registration or application process is described; the article states the dialogue is expected to take place in South Africa in October.
Show the line this came from
It is expected that the Strategic Dialogue will take place in South Africa in October this year.
Participation by French firms in South Africa’s largest mass infrastructure build
The President said South Africa looks forward to French firms participating in the country’s largest mass infrastructure build and in other sectors.
- Who it is for
- French firms and businesses
- How to act on it
- No application or submission process is described; the article states South Africa looks forward to participation by French firms.
Show the line this came from
“As we embark on the largest mass infrastructure build in our country’s history, we look forward to participation by French firms in this as well as other sectors.”
Facts
Places
City of Johannesburg, Gauteng
Reference
GOVNEWS-82789 at https://www.sanews.gov.za
Amounts
R 20 700 000 000
Key Takeaways
- President Cyril Ramaphosa met French President Emmanuel Macron
- Official visit to France: 10–12 July 2026
- Cooperation areas: investment, science and technology, cultural diplomacy, trade and investment, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchange
- 6th South Africa Investment Conference (Johannesburg, March 2026): 30 French companies pledged ~EUR 1.11 billion (ZAR 20.7 billion)
- Agreements under negotiation: Agreement on Transport Related Matters; Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy; Draft Declaration of Intent on Mobility
- France became a full member of SKAO (14th Member State)
- Joint Committee Meeting on science, technology and innovation: focus areas AI, oceans and marine sciences, soil health and water
- Defence: 13th Defence Strategic Dialogue expected in South Africa in October 2026; based on MoU on Defence Cooperation
- Multilateralism: emphasis on UN Charter and international law
- South Africa
- France
- President Cyril Ramaphosa
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
- UNESCO
- Professor Khaled El-Enany
- High-Level Steering Committee on Education
- Transforming Education Summit +4
- Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
Dates
Opening Date
11 July 2026
Closing Date
12 July 2026