Madrid – President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with Jaime Real de Asúa Arteche, President of the Elecnor Group, on the margins of his working visit to Spain.
Elecnor is a Spanish multinational engineering, construction, and infrastructure development company specialising in energy, telecommunications, water, and transport projects.
The company delivers turnkey solutions across power generation, transmission, renewables, and industrial infrastructure in over 50 countries.
President Ramaphosa, who arrived in Spain earlier on Thursday, 16 April 2026, met with the President of the Elecnor Group soon after his arrival.
President Ramaphosa also met with José Luis Gascó, Executive Vice President of Indra Sistemas, on the margins of the working visit to the Kingdom of Spain.
Indra Sistemas is a Spanish multinational specialising in information technology, defence systems, air traffic management, and digital transformation solutions.
The company delivers advanced technologies in smart cities, transport systems, cybersecurity, and energy management, supporting governments and industries globally.
In addition, President Ramaphosa met with José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq, Chairman and CEO of Acciona, on the margins of the Working Visit to Spain.
Acciona is a global leader in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy solutions, operating across energy, water, transport, and social infrastructure sectors.
The company is recognised as one of the world’s leading renewable energy developers, with strong expertise in wind, solar, water treatment, and desalination projects.
President Ramaphosa’s three-day working visit encompasses business engagements with government and business leaders, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and Spain, and exploring opportunities for expanded trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes, the Presidency stated that President Ramaphosa was in Spain on a working visit from 16 to 18 April 2026 to participate at the “In Defence of Democracy” Initiative.
On consecutive days, the President will have an audience with the King of Spain, His Majesty Felipe VI, in Madrid, followed by a bilateral engagement with the Spanish President, Dr Pedro Sánchez, in Barcelona, ahead of the “In Defence of Democracy” initiative.
The initiative “In Defence of Democracy” is an international effort initially launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 to confront the rise of extremism, polarisation, and disinformation, phenomena that erode social cohesion and threaten democratic institutions.
The first meeting was held in 2024 during the United Nations General Assembly, bringing together countries from different regions and representatives of international organizations, who agreed on the need for permanent coordination to safeguard democratic values.
The forthcoming Initiative will be a meeting in response to attacks against the multilateral system, disdain for international law, threats of territorial expansion, and normalising the use of threats and coercion in international relations.
President Ramaphosa will deliver remarks at the plenary on Extremism and Inequality, following the commissioning of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality.
In Madrid, the President’s diary includes championing South Africa’s investment drive through engagements with Spanish companies and addressing the South Africa – Spain Business Forum.
“President Ramaphosa will also have an engagement with the Global Progressive Mobilisation Group on the margins of the In Defence of Democracy initiative,” the Presidency said.
The Working Visit comes after President Sánchez undertook an Official Visit to South Africa in 2022, during which an invitation to undertake a reciprocal visit was extended to President Ramaphosa.
South Africa and Spain maintain close and friendly bilateral relations, underpinned by strong and significant political ties.
“The relations consistently uphold the values of unity and dialogue, and that stands firm in defence of multilateralism at a time when these principles are increasingly under strain,” the Presidency stated.
“Spain’s commitment to cooperation, respect for international law, and constructive engagement on global challenges reflects values that resonate deeply with South Africa.
“Spain recognises South Africa as a strategic partner as it seeks to significantly strengthen its political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation with the African continent.”
The Presidency said bilateral trade between South Africa and Spain increased by 8.3% from US$2,9 billion in 2024 to US$3,1 billion in 2025, which is an important indicator of the strengthening economic partnership between the two countries.
“Over the past decade, more than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa, creating over 20 000 jobs,” the Presidency said.
“President Ramaphosa’s engagement with both King Felipe VI and President Sánchez will provide opportunities to review the current status of bilateral cooperation and to advance discussions on the areas of mutual interest between South Africa and Spain.”
The Presidency said there will be particular focus on trade and investment, education, renewable energy, the digital economy, tourism, multilateralism , and peace and security.
President Ramaphosa was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.
