Lula welcomes South African president for state visit
On Monday (Mar. 9), Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a state visit. The visit aims to expand bilateral trade and discuss partnerships, particularly in tourism and investment.
The agenda includes a private meeting between the two leaders, followed by an expanded gathering with government teams. A signing ceremony and press statement are also planned.
Since 2010, Brazil and South Africa have maintained a strategic partnership – a higher level of bilateral relations. The agenda for the ties includes defense and security, nuclear energy, investment, cooperation, and market access. The countries also keep channels of dialogue open across various multilateral forums.
Trade between Brazil and South Africa reached USD 2.3 billion in 2025. The main Brazilian exports were poultry and offal (16.2%), sugar and molasses (8.3%), and road vehicles (6.9%). Brazilian imports, on the other hand, consisted mainly of silver, platinum, and other platinum group minerals (53.9%).
