PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA CALLS FOR EQUITABLE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND FINANCIAL REFORM AT GLOBAL GATEWAY FORUM IN BRUSSELS

Brussels, Belgium – 9 October 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a renewed global commitment to equity, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation during his address at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels. Speaking alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and fellow leaders from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to building partnerships that empower rather than entrench dependency.

The President emphasised that the world is facing an era of “geopolitical uncertainty and instability” that undermines both economic growth and security. He called for “comprehensive, coordinated and forward-looking solutions” anchored in the peaceful resolution of conflict, respect for international law, and the reform of key multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.

Highlighting the importance of Africa–EU cooperation, President Ramaphosa noted that the partnership between South Africa and the European Union continues to deepen. The two partners reaffirmed their shared values earlier this year during the South Africa–EU Summit in Cape Town.

“Together, we have an opportunity to strengthen resilience by advancing investments in digital and green infrastructure, fostering innovation, securing supply chains and encouraging diversification that supports sustainable and inclusive growth,” President Ramaphosa said.

He welcomed the EU’s support for initiatives in transport, renewable energy, pandemic preparedness, vaccine production, and digital connectivity. However, he cautioned that investments under the Global Gateway must be structured “in a manner that empowers African countries and does not replace one dependency with another.”

The President outlined South Africa’s domestic priorities, including sweeping economic reforms in energy, water, logistics, and telecommunications — all aimed at improving competitiveness and attracting investment. He further highlighted the country’s Just Energy Transition, which seeks to expand renewable energy capacity while safeguarding energy security and supporting social development.

“We are using our natural resource endowments – such as solar, wind and our critical minerals – to build industries that will grow our economies,” he said.

Turning to broader continental priorities, Ramaphosa underscored Africa’s goal of achieving universal energy access through diversification, equitable financing, and technology transfer, noting that EU support will play an essential role in this transformation.

The President also used the platform to draw attention to the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, which South Africa will host next month under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” This will mark the first time the G20 is hosted on African soil.

“We welcome the support of the European Union for our G20 priorities to address the many challenges that developing economy countries are facing,” Ramaphosa said.

He reiterated that addressing the unsustainable debt burdens of developing countries must be a key agenda item at the G20 Summit.

“It is simply unacceptable that many developing economy countries pay much more for their debt than what more developed economy countries pay. This unfair treatment perpetuates inequality not only between individuals but amongst countries as well,” he stressed.

In pursuit of greater global equity, President Ramaphosa announced that South Africa has established a G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Wealth Inequality, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz. The committee will present a report on global inequality at the upcoming G20 Summit.

The President further called for reforms of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to better support climate action, reconstruction efforts following natural disasters, and sustainable industrialisation. He also urged stronger regulation against predatory mining practices and for fair management of critical minerals, underscoring Africa’s right to benefit equitably from its natural wealth.

“We must build consensus on the reform of international financial institutions to better tackle global challenges,” Ramaphosa concluded. “Together, we can foster inclusive growth, build resilience and create a sustainable and secure future for all our people.”

Background:
The Global Gateway Forum is the European Union’s flagship platform for building global partnerships in digital, energy, transport, and health infrastructure. President Ramaphosa’s participation underscores South Africa’s leadership role in shaping equitable global frameworks that align with the continent’s aspirations for industrialisation, sustainability, and financial independence.