South African trade minister advocates for Africa’s greater role in the global economy

On Friday, July 13, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a conversation with Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa the Hon. Rob Davies.

In his prepared remarks, Davies discussed ways in which South Africa is looking to accelerate economic growth, trade, and investment on the African continent. He highlighted South Africa’s recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) at the African Union Summit in Mauritania as the first step in a larger drive to help African countries play a greater role in the global economy, uniting states with a combined GDP of more than two trillion dollars. Davies also emphasized South Africa’s desire to modernize its economy and education systems to effectively address future challenges, closing the skills gap to prepare for the the digital revolution and the rapid automation of labor. He concluded by reiterating South Africa’s desire to deepen its relations with American companies and strengthen a mutually beneficial economic relationship with the United States.  

A discussion, moderated by Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham, followed Davies’ remarks, which centered on the economic benefits of further regional integration, the need to modernize South Africa’s education system to improve economic empowerment, and the development of South Africa’s energy sector.

The South African delegation also included South African Ambassador to the United States H.E. Mninwa J. Mahlangu; Department of Trade and Industry Deputy Director-General Ms. Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter; and Departmental Spokesperson Mr. Sidwell Medupe. Also in attendance and participating in the discussion were Zimbabwean Ambassador to the United States H.E. Ammon Mutembwa, former US Ambassador to Niger Eunice Reddick, and a number of US and non-US government officials, business leaders, and civil society actors.