President Cyril Ramaphosa visits the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen economic cooperation
The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, paid an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a period of two days. The objective of this visit was to strengthen economic cooperation between the DRC and South Africa.
Upon his arrival in Kinshasa, President Ramaphosa was welcomed by the Congolese Prime Minister, Jean Michel Sama Lukonde. He was then received face-to-face by the Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, at the Palais de la Nation. During this meeting, the two Heads of State had the opportunity to discuss the work of the DRC-South Africa Joint Commission.
This visit is a continuation of the exchanges between the two Presidents which took place in December 2020, during the official visit of President Tshisekedi to South Africa. The objective of these exchanges was to reflect on ways to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Economic cooperation between the DRC and South Africa is of great importance for the development of the region. These two countries have abundant and complementary natural resources, which offers many opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.
During his visit, President Ramaphosa also met with representatives of the Congolese government as well as local economic actors. This meeting made it possible to discuss ongoing cooperation projects and to set up new initiatives aimed at stimulating trade and investment between the two countries.
Beyond economic cooperation, this visit was also an opportunity to strengthen political ties between the DRC and South Africa. Both countries share common concerns for peace and security in the region, and close cooperation is essential to address current and future challenges.
In conclusion, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo has helped to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. It demonstrates the importance that South Africa attaches to the DRC and the willingness of the two countries to work together to promote economic development and strengthen stability in the region.