Russia and South Africa Deepen Economic Ties at Moscow Trade Talks

In a show of growing strategic alignment, South Africa and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering bilateral economic relations following a high-level meeting in Moscow this week.

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, led the country’s delegation to the 18th session of the Mixed Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The discussions, which took place on Wednesday, covered a broad range of issues tied to economic partnership, innovation, and geopolitical coordination. Both sides emphasized their “traditionally friendly relations” and shared goals across platforms such as BRICS, the G20, and the United Nations.

According to a statement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, the ministers “reaffirmed Moscow and Pretoria’s unwavering commitment” to working together on global and regional challenges while upholding international law and the UN Charter.

Lamola’s visit also included active participation in the Russia–South Africa Business Council, hosted under the auspices of Business Russia. The session gathered key voices from both governments, along with representatives of private sector enterprises and business associations from both nations.

Pavel Titov, President of Business Russia, stated that collaboration with South Africa remains one of the organization’s top strategic priorities. Russian entrepreneurs continue to express growing interest in entering the South African market, with regular B2B inquiries pointing to new commercial avenues.

Notably, Titov revealed that discussions are ongoing about conducting trade in national currencies, potentially reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar, and the possible launch of direct air connections between the two countries.

Lamola stressed the importance of looking beyond traditional trade sectors. “We must seek new opportunities in advanced innovation, sustainable development, and business transformation,” he told council members. He also cited Russia’s strengths in aerospace, energy, metallurgy, and high-tech as key areas that could support South Africa’s goals around security, industrialisation, and infrastructure modernisation.

Beyond economics, Lamola’s trip also held symbolic value. He noted the importance of honoring South Africa’s historic ties with Russia, including paying tribute to anti-apartheid struggle icons Moses Kotane and J.B. Marks, who are buried in Moscow.

As global geopolitical alliances shift, the Moscow meeting highlights the deepening relationship between South Africa and Russia—one built not just on legacy, but on a shared vision for the future of trade, development, and multilateral cooperation.

{Source: Daily News}

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