President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is looking forward to strengthening its investment relations with the Federal Republic of Austria.
Ramaphosa is currently hosting the Austrian president, Alexander van der Bellen, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
South Africa is Austria’s biggest trading partner on the continent, contributing about a third of all African exports to the European country.
Ramaphosa said the four-day working visit would be focused on improving trade relations between the two nations.
“There are more than 70 Austrian companies, with subsidiaries and agencies in SA across a range of sectors of our economy. There is significant potential to deepen investment and trade links in a number of areas, particularly in the green economy, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, as well as tourism.”
Van der Bellen believes the South African “rainbow nation” stands as an example of what peace should look like across the world.
His visit marks the first time an Austrian head of state has travelled to South Africa.
Both Ramaphosa and van der Bellen acknowledged this visit comes on the back of global instability, where there are conflicts in many parts of the world.
Van der Bellen has praised South Africa for how it resolved its conflicts.
“SA has come a long way overcoming the dark times of apartheid, and that was certainly a difficult journey, but I can only applaud your country for your non-violent and inclusive transition to democracy and a true rainbow nation, as it is called. I think it’s a beautiful name personally, which today is a role model for peace and stability.”
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Updated: July 2025
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