During my first visit to South Africa as British foreign secretary just a few months ago, I heard loud and clear how inclusive, sustainable economic growth and job creation are at the top of the agenda for both our countries. I also heard how much businesses, investors and South African counterparts want to work with the UK.
This appetite in South Africa is only matched by our hunger in Britain to do more together.
Already, this country is our biggest trading partner on the African continent, and we are the biggest investor here.
So, while the G20 summit was, naturally, the main event this week — and it is a joy to see it in Africa at long last — I also made it a priority to take the next steps in strengthening the UK-South Africa relationship too.
Building on the growth and investment partnership that we agreed to develop during my November visit, our countries took forward the latest instalment of our plan to boost joint trade and investment this week.
Alongside transport minister Barbara Creecy, I launched a new programme using British expertise from Crossrail International to drive reform in South Africa’s rail sector.
Boosting opportunities for the UK transport industry, Crossrail’s input will help UK companies operating here and unlock new export opportunities for UK business.
UK expertise will also support infrastructure projects right across Gauteng — building links with British business, and bringing growth, investment and jobs to South African communities.
These sorts of partnerships are so important for the UK, South Africa, and our other partners on this continent — and something countries around the world want to see
— UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy
British International Investment (BII) is investing £50m (R1.15bn) in facility, focused on building resilience in Africa, so businesses across this dynamic, diverse continent can feel the benefits of engaging with UK investors. And $85m (R1.5bn) from BII and partners will expand private sector investment in small and medium agribusinesses across Sub-Saharan Africa — enhancing local food security and producing high-value exports as well.
All this is in addition to our existing partnerships with South Africa like our work together to support the Just Energy Transition and our co-hosting the replenishment of the Global Fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.
These sorts of partnerships are so important for the UK, South Africa, and our other partners on this continent — and something countries around the world want to see.
The South African government is rightly prioritising inclusive economic growth through a new G20 task force.
But none of us can make good on these vital goals at home if we do not work together to tackle the obstacles we face around the world including conflicts such as Putin’s war in Ukraine that restrict global growth and development.
So I have used the G20 as a moment to strengthen our fruitful partnerships especially with South Africa.
Together, we are championing global security and stability and defending the principles of the UN Charter that has helped to bring greater security and prosperity to so many around the world.
All of this while prioritising action to support inclusive economic growth, new investment, jobs, and enhancing our trading relationships between the UK and South Africa, and with the continent as a whole.
David Lammy is the UK's foreign secretary
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