By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for deeper trade ties, strengthened democratic partnerships and a more equitable multilateral system between South Africa and Spain.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the Spain–South Africa Business Forum on Friday, 17 April 2026.
He is on a working visit to participate at 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 (UNGA), bringing together countries from different regions and representatives of international organisations, 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.
The President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau.
In 2025, total trade between South Africa and Spain reached about €2.8-billion.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s exports to Spain reached €1.3-billion, a 10% increase over the previous year.
“This makes Spain our fastest-growing major trading partner within the European Union. Our countries do not compete. We complement each other, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can strengthen global value chains,” he said.
Ramaphosa emphasised that the relationship between the two economies is complementary rather than competitive.
He noted that more than 150 Spanish companies operate in South Africa, supporting over 20 000 jobs across sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, technology and tourism.
He further pointed to Spain’s investment of over 2.1 billion Euros in South Africa’s just energy transition as a strong signal of confidence.
“This is directed at green hydrogen, electric vehicles, renewable energy and grid infrastructure,” he said.
However, Ramaphosa said that while South Africa and Spain’s trade relationship was strong, it remained structurally imbalanced, concentrated in a narrow range of products.
Ramaphosa assured reforms to improve the country’s logistics network, strengthen the electricity system and create a more competitive business environment.
“We are making it easier to invest, easier to trade and easier to grow,” he said.
He said as trade was expanded, the rules governing global commerce must be fair and support development.
Concluding his address, Ramaphosa underscored the broader significance of the partnership between the two nations.
“We have an opportunity to connect European technological strength with African growth. We have an opportunity to build supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and inclusive,” he said.
The President is scheduled to have an audience with King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Royal Palace today. On Saturday, he will be in Barcelona where he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with President Pedro Sánchez at the Fira de Barcelona, before delivering remarks at the plenary session on Extremism and Inequality.