Brussels – SA President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, following a successful Official Visit to Ireland.
President Ramaphosa was received at the Brussels Military Airforce Base by South Africa’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Tokozile Xasa; European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Sandra Kramer; Acting Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Grace Mason; and Acting South African Defence Attaché to Belgium and Luxembourg, Lt. Col. Phelisile Mtanase.
At the invitation of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s participation in the Global Gateway Forum (GGF).
The forum is scheduled to take place from today, Thursday and Friday, 9 and 10 October 2025, under the theme: “Advancing Global Connectivity in the Face of Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Challenges.”
The European Union’s external investment strategy, Global Gateway, aims to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
The EU President leads the GGF, which brings together Heads of State and Government, along with high-level representatives from governments, financial institutions, the private sector and civil society.
Together, they will explore innovative strategies for scaling up European investments in partner countries.
Building on the success of the inaugural Forum in 2023, this year’s event will focus on advancing global connectivity in the face of geopolitical and geo-economic challenges.
Heads of State and Government from Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Europe, as well as the Chairperson of the AU Commission, will attend. A high-level South African business delegation will also participate in the GGF.
The visit to Brussels follows a recent meeting between President Ramaphosa and President Von der Leyen on the margins of UNGA80 in New York, as well as the successful 8th South Africa-EU Summit in March 2025.
This summit took place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the EU. As a bloc, the EU remains South Africa’s largest trade and investment partner and a significant development cooperation partner.
President Ramaphosa is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Bonginkosi Nzimande; Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi; and senior government officials.
*All images courtesy GCIS
