Yokohama: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger economic and investment partnerships between South Africa and Japan, highlighting the opportunities in critical minerals, renewable energy, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing. Addressing the South Africa-Japan Business Forum on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Summit in Yokohama on Thursday, the President said the next phase of bilateral relations should be grounded in ‘innovation, resilience, and inclusive prosperity’.
According to South African Government News Agency, the President emphasized that the 115-year relationship between the two nations presents an opportune moment to enhance their economic ties. He pointed out that recent tariff changes by the United States have underscored the necessity for South Africa to diversify its export markets, with Japan emerging as a key partner in building resilient global supply chains.
President Ramaphosa welcomed remarks from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba about Japan’s readiness to adjust tariffs for partners under strain, suggesting this could lead to deeper tariff cooperation. He identified significant collaboration potential in integrated supply chains within strategic sectors like battery minerals, automotive components, renewable energy equipment, and hydrogen technologies, which would bolster both countries against external trade disruptions.
Japan remains a vital economic partner for South Africa, with over 270 Japanese companies operating locally and providing more than 200,000 jobs. South Africa’s exports to Japan primarily include minerals such as platinum, coal, manganese, and titanium, alongside agricultural products like Rooibos tea, citrus, wine, and avocados gaining traction in the Japanese market.
President Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s status as a leading global agricultural exporter, emphasizing the country’s robust sanitary and phytosanitary standards and traceability systems. He noted the country’s position as the top exporter of Rooibos tea and macadamia nuts, the second-largest exporter of fresh citrus, and the fifth-largest exporter of wine by volume.
Further, the President pointed out that South Africa is a global leader in supplying platinum group metals, manganese, and vanadium, all of which are crucial to Japan’s green technology industries. He stressed that South African automotive components, chemicals, polymers, stainless steel, and fabricated metal products are not only export-ready but also uniquely positioned to meet Japanese consumer and industrial demands.
Addressing the delegates, President Ramaphosa shared that South Africa’s economic recovery is being propelled by significant investments in energy, water, road, rail, port, telecommunication, digital, and social infrastructure. He assured that the country is enhancing policy certainty and investment protection mechanisms to mitigate risks for investors and industry players.
He also urged Japanese businesses to leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning South Africa as a hub for manufacturing and innovation serving 1.4 billion people. He underscored South Africa’s leadership roles in the G20 and G7 outreach, focusing on critical minerals, climate finance, and industrial resilience.
The President called for joint advocacy for rules-based global systems that support fair trade, sustainable investment, and value chain integration. He suggested building industrial corridors in electric vehicles, hydrogen, and digital innovation, and strengthening trading platforms for agricultural and mineral products. By harmonizing tariff and regulatory frameworks, the two countries could incentivize high-value manufacturing.
In conclusion, President Ramaphosa encouraged Japanese businesses to collaborate and seize the abundant opportunities South Africa offers, aiming to translate the strong bilateral friendship into industrial and human development, with South Africa serving as a gateway to Africa.