Forging the Future: South Africa and Finland Deepen Partnership for Development

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The atmosphere in the room was one of warm cooperation as Deputy President Paul Mashatile of South Africa rose to welcome the Prime Minister of Finland, Anti Petteri Orpo, and his esteemed delegation. Speaking on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who conveyed his regrets, the Deputy President set a constructive tone for the bilateral meeting.

The visit was highlighted as being perfectly timed, following South Africa's successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg—an event notably attended by President Alexander Stubb of Finland. Furthermore, the meeting followed the Seventh AU–EU Summit in Angola, reinforcing the shared regional and continental context of their partnership.

Deputy President Mashatile was joined by a high-level South African team, including the Deputy Minister of International Relations, Mr. Alvin Botes, and senior officials spanning The Presidency, International Relations, Trade, Industry and Competition, Electricity and Energy, and Digital Communication and Technology. This diverse representation underscored the breadth of the planned discussions.

A History of Trust and Substance

The Deputy President began by reiterating South Africa’s profound appreciation for Finland’s steadfast support during its G20 Presidency, noting President Stubb's participation at very short notice as a clear mark of commitment. The relationship between the two nations was described as consistently warm, cordial, and constructive.

Since the dawn of South Africa's democracy, Finland has been a crucial partner, actively supporting reconstruction and development efforts through various agreements, and expanding trade and investment across diverse sectors.

This strong foundation was recently reinforced by the State Visit of former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in April 2023. That visit yielded concrete, practical outcomes, including:

• Cooperation on water resource management.

• Joint efforts in educational models for Early Childhood Development.

• Programmes for out-of-school youth and adult education.

• A collaborative initiative to train young peace mediators.

Building Smart, Sustainable Futures

Prime Minister Orpo’s current visit was positioned as a vital next step, aimed at further consolidating bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment. Encouragingly, the Finnish delegation included key business leaders exploring new opportunities in critical areas such as:

• Smart and sustainable mining.

• Water and built environments.

• The development of smart cities.

  
  

Two central pillars of the cooperation were highlighted: water management and digitalisation. The 2023 Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resources was celebrated as a significant milestone, focusing specifically on innovation and technology. The strength of this collaboration was demonstrated by the visit of South Africa's Minister of Water and Sanitation, Minister Majodina, to Finland in August 2025, and Finland's participation in the inaugural AWSISA Technical Conference.

In the digital sphere, cooperation focuses on advancing innovation systems and start-up ecosystems, and crucially, on developing digital infrastructure, particularly low-cost connectivity in township areas to foster inclusive development. Finland’s active role in the G20 Digital Economy Working Group was deeply appreciated.

Partnership in a Multilateral World

Beyond the bilateral focus, the relationship has increasingly evolved into a partnership supporting Africa’s broader development agenda, demonstrated by Finland’s active involvement in the Nordic–Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Zimbabwe in October 2025.

Both nations share a firm conviction in the need for a more equitable and representative multilateral system. Deputy President Mashatile commended Finland's consistent, principled support for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, and its advocacy for a more just, inclusive, and rules-based international order.

South Africa expressed deep appreciation for Finland’s sustained partnership on key global challenges, including:

• Strengthening multilateralism and international law.

• Peacebuilding and mediation.

• Gender equality and human rights.

• The global response to climate change.

  
  

Concluding his welcoming remarks, the Deputy President drew on the shared history of struggle and solidarity, affirming that "by working together, we can help build a better world—one in which the aspirations of all nations and peoples may be realised." He then extended the floor to Prime Minister Orpo to deliver his remarks.