South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has begun a three-day visit to France, where he was formally received by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand political, economic and strategic ties between their countries. Their talks will also cover regional security challenges across Africa, as well as key international issues of shared interest.
The visit comes weeks after controversy surrounding South Africa’s absence from the G7 summit in Évian. While the South African presidency initially suggested the country had been left out due to pressure from the United States, Ramaphosa later clarified that the claim was inaccurate.
According to French officials, the visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding partnership between France and South Africa through closer cooperation across several sectors.
Beyond his meeting with Macron, Ramaphosa is scheduled to co-chair discussions at UNESCO on improving access to quality education. He will also meet with French business executives to explore investment and commercial opportunities between the two nations.
The South African president will conclude his visit on Sunday by attending ceremonies marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in northern France. The World War I battle remains a significant chapter in South Africa’s military history, with more than 2,500 South African soldiers losing their lives during the fighting.
