Hosting President William Ruto at the Union Buildings, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for deeper continental cooperation, expanded trade under the AfCFTA and African-led solutions to global and regional challenges.
Image: GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed visa-free travel for Kenyan nationals as one of South Africa’s most successful policy decisions, saying it has boosted tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Ramaphosa made these remarks while hosting Kenyan President William Ruto and his delegation for a State Visit at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday, where he said the visit reflected the growing strength of bilateral relations and a shared commitment to deepening cooperation.
He said South Africa and Kenya were strengthening trade, investment and strategic cooperation aimed at advancing African integration, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth.
“This Reciprocal State Visit is a celebration of the friendship and solidarity that binds our two nations,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the decision taken in 2022 to grant visa-free access for up to 90 days had already yielded positive results, with increased tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
“This is a clear demonstration of how reducing barriers can bring Africans closer together and advance the vision of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,” he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africa and Kenya were among the leading economies in their respective regions and that their partnership extended beyond bilateral relations to the broader African project of integration, industrialisation and inclusive growth.
“As such, our partnership carries significance not only for our citizens but for the broader African project of integration, industrialisation and inclusive growth,” he said.
He welcomed the successful convening of the seventh session of the South Africa-Kenya Joint Trade Committee in Pretoria in April, saying it had reaffirmed commitments to a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ramaphosa said cooperation between the two countries was expanding into areas including green energy, climate-smart industrialisation, digital trade, artificial intelligence, maritime cooperation, e-mobility and skills development.
He said the two countries were also preparing to finalise several strategic memoranda of understanding covering agriculture, tourism, ICT, energy, transport and maritime cooperation.
“Such cooperation will create opportunities to transform lives, empower young people and build resilient economies,” he said.
He welcomed a proposal to establish a South Africa-Kenya Joint Business Council, saying it would strengthen private sector engagement in trade and investment.
Ramaphosa said trade between the two countries continued to grow, with Kenyan exports to South Africa increasing and helping to improve balance in the trading relationship.
He also highlighted progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying the agreement was already transforming intra-African trade.
“This shows that the AfCFTA is not just an aspiration. It is a living instrument that is already transforming intra-African trade,” he said.
Ramaphosa said there remained significant opportunities to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, automotive manufacturing, agro-processing, digital innovation, renewable energy, healthcare and education.
He welcomed growing cooperation between Kenya Airways and South African Airways, saying improved connectivity was strengthening tourism and business links.
Ramaphosa said the State Visit was taking place at a time of global uncertainty, with conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine and other regions affecting economic stability and development prospects.
“Our position is clear: dialogue and diplomacy must prevail over confrontation,” he said.
He said South Africa and Kenya shared a commitment to multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes and a rules-based international order applied fairly and universally.
Ramaphosa said both countries continued to play active roles in conflict resolution efforts on the continent and remained committed to African-led peace initiatives.
“Our continent must speak with one voice, guided by our own interests and aspirations,” he said.
The President also renewed calls for reform of global institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and international financial systems, to ensure Africa’s voice is better represented.
He said equitable access to climate finance and technology was critical to supporting a just energy transition, while also stressing the importance of digital transformation and innovation.
Ramaphosa said South Africa and Kenya could lead in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech and cybersecurity.
He said future cooperation should place people at the centre, creating opportunities for youth, empowering women and promoting inclusive growth.
“Working together, South Africa and Kenya can help shape a peaceful, integrated and thriving African continent,” he said.
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