Press Release: South Africa –European Union Clean Trade and Investment Partnership enters implementation phase with inaugural business-to-government dialogue

Organised in the context of the Africa Energy Indaba, the first CTIP Business-to-Government Dialogue was well-attended by over 150 representatives from industry, financial institutions and policymakers. 

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Honourable Ms Alexandra Abrahams, who opened the Business-to-Government Dialogue, said: “The Clean Trade and Investment Partnership marks a strategic evolution in the South Africa–EU economic relationship. The EU remains one of South Africa’s largest trading partners with total trade growing by 56 per cent since 2016 and, through this mutually beneficial partnership, we will continue to deepen our relationship.”

She further noted that “The CTIP will expand trade volumes while reshaping value chains. It will align decarbonisation with industrialisation, and investment with local economic development, ensuring that South Africa participates as an industrial partner in clean supply chains rather than as a supplier of raw materials. As we move into implementation, our focus is to mobilise bankable investment, address regulatory and market access constraints, and ensure that clean trade translates into economic growth and sustainable job creation.”

Deputy Director General Maria Martin-Prat at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, said: “There are enormous mutual trade and investment opportunities in our clean supply chains. Look at South Africa’s ambition to reform its electricity sector and construct approximately 14,500 km of new transmission lines in the next decade – the scale of opportunity is immense. To turn ambitions into reality, we will need three things. Firstly, we need companies ready to invest in these supply chains. European firms, with their cutting-edge technology and expertise in clean solutions, have a clear comparative advantage in supporting South Africa’s green transition. Secondly, while private investment will drive this transformation, Global Gateway funding can play a catalytic role by reducing risk and crowding in capital. Thirdly, we need a conducive regulatory business environment for these investments to scale and reach their full potential. This is what the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership is all about, and where we need your input.” 

The Business-to-Government dialogue showcased the demand-driven nature of the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. Industry representatives shared their views on the concrete regulatory, financing and risk-mitigation measures that would most effectively facilitate trade and investments in South African and EU clean supply chains. These recommendations will be discussed by South African and EU government representatives, including at the CTIP Government to Government dialogue later this year. 

More information on the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership can be found here.

If you are a European or South African company with specific recommendations for CTIP implementation, please contact DELEGATION-SOUTH-AFRICA-TRADE@eeas.europa.eu.

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