Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: February 14, 1992.
2. The establishment of diplomatic relations: March 16, 1992
3. Political relations:
November 1998 - official visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to South Africa.
June 2000 - visit of the President of Ukraine to Cape Town to participate in the Earth Summit.
September 2000 - official visit of the Vice President of South Africa to Ukraine.
September 2002 - meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Africa, New York.
April 2011 - meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine with the President of South Africa on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in China.
On October 20, 2021, a telephone conversation occurred between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandor.
On April 20, 2022; May 13, July 13, October 17, 2023; and February 2024, telephone conversations took place between the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
September 19, 2023, and January 22, 2024 - meetings of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 78th and 79th sessions of the UN General Assembly in New York and January 22, 2025, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
On July 10-11, 2022, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, visited Ukraine as part of a special mission of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
On October 6, 2022, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Kondratyuk, met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, on the sidelines of the Eighth G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (Indonesia).
On May 19, 2023 - meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandor (Lisbon, Portugal).
On November 6, 2023, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Kuleba officially visited South Africa.
On July 29, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine D.Kuleba and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Ronald Lamola had a telephone conversation.
On September 20, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Ronald Lamola had a telephone conversation.
On September 22, 2024, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, A. Sybiha, met with South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, R.Lamola, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
On October 27-28, 2024, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Sybiha visited South Africa.
On January 20, 2025, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine A.Sybiha and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa R.Lamola had a telephone conversation.
Four rounds of political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and South Africa. The last round took place in Pretoria in October 2022.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-South Africa
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
22300 |
22900 |
9100 |
12500 |
|
Import of goods |
95000 |
69300 |
99600 |
101400 |
|
Balance |
-72700 |
-46400 |
-90500 |
-88900 |
|
Turnover |
117300 |
92200 |
108700 |
113900 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 113.9 million USD and increased by 4.7% compared to 2023. The export of goods from Ukraine to South Africa amounted to 12.5 million USD (increased by 1.3 times), and the import of goods from South Africa to Ukraine amounted to 101.4 million USD (increased by 1.8%). Ukraine's negative balance during this period amounted to 88.9 million USD.
The products that were most exported in 2024 include vegetables – 3.1 million USD (increased by 9.3 times), grain crops – 1.3 million USD (increased by 36%), confectionery products made of sugar without cocoa – 1.1 million USD (increased by 15.4%), corks/caps and lids -996 thousand USD, and bakery products – 821 thousand USD.
The products that were most imported in 2024 include vehicle and other motor vehicles, worth 30.1 million USD, citrus fruits, worth 22.7 million USD, leather, worth 18.6 million USD (decreased by 34.97%), ore and chrome concentrate, worth 2.9 million USD, and coal and anthracite, worth 2.6 million USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
5. Cultural cooperation:
In 2022, cooperation between Ukraine and South Africa in the field of culture became more active due to the increased interest of local cultural actors in Ukrainian art and culture provoked by the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. From 2022 to 2024, Ukrainian culture was presented at more than forty cultural events in South Africa's public spaces.
Ukrainian artists' participation in international festivals held in South Africa has become systematic: "International Public Art Festival" (visual art), "Poetry Africa", "Time of the Writer" (literature), and the European Film Festival in South Africa. In February 2023, a Ukrainian bookshelf was opened in the Central Library of Cape Town (a project of the First Lady of Ukraine).
In South Africa, there is a museum of Ukrainian culture in Riversdale (Western Cape province), whose work aims to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries.
6. Scientific and technical cooperation:
Bilateral scientific and technical cooperation between Ukraine and South Africa is based on the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of South Africa on cooperation in science and technology.
On September 29, 2016, the State Space Agency of Ukraine and the National Space Agency of South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in research and the peaceful use of outer space.
On February 26, 2018, in Pretoria (South Africa), the State Agency of Fisheries of Ukraine and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources' system of international scientific observation.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 54 students from South Africa were studying in Ukraine's higher educational institutions as of January 2022. Still, as of October 2024, there are only 27 students.
7. Legal framework:
The primary documents of the bilateral legal framework are Trade agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of South Africa; Convention between the Cabinet of Ministers and the Government of South Africa on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion concerning taxes on income; Agreement on military-technical cooperation; Agreement on cooperation in science and technology.
8. Ukrainian community:
More than 5,000 Ukrainian and South African citizens of Ukrainian origin live in South Africa. Three hundred citizens are permanently or temporarily on the consular register, and eight received Ukrainian status abroad. The Ukrainian diaspora in South Africa is relatively young, as most Ukrainians arrived after 1990. The Ukrainian community is represented mainly by teachers, doctors, and specialists in engineering and technical specialities.
Since 2017, the Ukrainian Association of South Africa, a non-governmental public organization that unites all Ukrainians in South Africa, has been registered and operating in South Africa. In 2018, the organization became an associate member of the World Congress of Ukrainians and actively exchanged experiences with communities in East, South, and Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Africa.
Since March 2016, the Ukrainian Sunday School in South Africa has been operating in Cape Town. Since January 2020, a Saturday school has operated at the Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa. Ukrainian language school centers operate in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, and online classes are available for children and adults.
The Ukrainian Association in the Republic of South Africa is the initiator of numerous events to promote the interests of Ukraine in South Africa and acts as a permanent partner of the Embassy
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Eswatini
1.Recognition of Ukraine's independence: May 13, 1998.
2.Establishment of diplomatic relations: May 13, 1998.
3.Political relations: there are no contacts at the highest level.
There is a practice of protocol correspondence.
4.Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Eswatini
for the period 2021-2024
(thousand USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
export of goods |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
|
import of goods |
398 |
522,5 |
241 |
404 |
|
balance |
|
|
|
|
|
bilateral trade |
398 |
522,5 |
241 |
418 |
According to the results of 2024, the volume of bilateral trade in goods amounted to 418 thousand USD and increased by 1.7 times compared to the same period in 2023. The export of goods from Ukraine to the Kingdom of Eswatini consisted of pharmaceutical products amounted to 14 thousand USD. Import of goods amounted to 404 thousand USD and consisted of citrus - 308 thousand USD, ethanol – 53 thousand USD, fruits – 38 thousand USD. The negative balance for Ukraine amounted to 390 thousand USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
5.Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of January 25, 2022, 53 students from Eswatini studied in higher educational institutions of Ukraine.
6.Scientific and technical cooperation: none
7.Legal framework: none.
8.Ukrainian community: none.
9.Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Zambia
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: December 30, 1991.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: April 22, 1993.
3. Political relations:
August 2022 – telephone conversation took place between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema.
October 2022 –– meeting between the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kornienko, and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zambia, Nelly Muti (on the sidelines of the 145th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Kigali, Rwanda).
On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmyrto Kuleba visited the Republic of Zambia.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Zambia
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
511,5 |
128,8 |
97,3 |
31 |
|
Import of goods |
339,9 |
461,4 |
2700 |
3240 |
|
Balance |
171,6 |
-332,6 |
-2600 |
-3210 |
|
Turnover |
851,4 |
590,2 |
241 |
3271 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 3.27 million USD and increased by 1.2 times compared to the same period in 2023. The export of goods from Ukraine to Zambia amounted to 3.24 million USD, and the export to Zambia amounted to 31 thousand USD. The negative balance for Ukraine amounted to 3.21 million USD.
Ukraine exported to Zambia fertilizers worth 12 thousand USD and equipment for X-ray radiation worth 19 thousand USD in 2024, a decrease of 1.2 times compared to the previous year.
The imports of feldspar amounted to 1.7 million USD, tobacco to 1.1 million USD, seeds to 240 thousand USD, and coffee to 117 thousand USD, an increase of 1.2 times compared to the previous year.
5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 107 students from Zambia had been studying in Ukraine's higher educational institutions as of January 2022. Still, as of October 2024, there are only 16 students.
6. Scientific and technical cooperation: none.
7. Legal framework:
Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of April 22, 1993.
Protocol on Political Consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia.
8. Ukrainian community: About 70 Ukrainian citizens live in Zambia. The community consists mainly of doctors and women who are married to Zambians. There are no public associations and organizations of ethnic Ukrainians in the country.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Zimbabwe
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: March 9, 1992.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: April 25, 1992.
3. Political relations: no contacts at the highest level.
There is a practice of protocol correspondence.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Zimbabwe
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
32,5 |
13,7 |
134,3 |
7 |
|
Import of goods |
2550 |
3500 |
5400 |
7750 |
|
Balance |
-2510 |
-3486 |
-5265 |
-7743 |
|
Turnover |
2580 |
3513 |
5534 |
7757 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 7.76 million USD and increased by 41% compared to the same period in 2023. The export of goods from Ukraine to Zimbabwe amounted to 7 thousand USD, and the import of goods from Zimbabwe to Ukraine amounted to almost 7.75 million USD. Ukraine's negative balance during this period amounted to 7.74 million USD.
Ukraine exports consoles/panels and imports tobacco, citrus fruits, and ferroalloys from Zimbabwe.
There is no investment cooperation.
5. Scientific and technical cooperation: none
6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of January 25, 2022, 243 students from Zimbabwe have been studying in Ukrainian higher educational institutions.
7. Legal framework:
Joint Protocol on establishing diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
8. Ukrainian community:
About 30 Ukrainian citizens live in Zimbabwe. There are no public associations and organizations of ethnic Ukrainians in the country.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Lesotho
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: January 24, 1992.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: June 1, 2000.
3. Political relations: no contacts at the high level.
There is a practice of protocol correspondence.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine- Lesotho
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
6,1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Import of goods |
1,2 |
2 |
26,1 |
13 |
|
Balance |
4,9 |
-2 |
- 26,1 |
-13 |
|
Turnover |
7,4 |
2 |
26,1 |
13 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 13 thousand USD (decreased by 1.6 times) by import, particularly Ukraine imported from Lesotho electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof in the amount of 8 thousand USD and knitted clothes - 5 thousand USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
5. Scientific and technical cooperation: none.
6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, four students from Lesotho had been studying in Ukrainian higher educational institutions as of January 25, 2022.
7. Legal framework:
Joint Communique on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
8. Ukrainian community: none.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Mauritius
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: June 8, 1992.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: October 12, 1992.
3. Political relations: September 30, 1997 - Meeting of the Chairman of the 52nd Session of the UN General Assembly, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mauritius in New York.
There are no contacts at the highest level.
There is a practice of protocol correspondence.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Mauritius
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
3350 |
5100 |
5050 |
3161 |
|
Import of goods |
740,6 |
416,3 |
490,2 |
404 |
|
Balance |
2610 |
4683 |
4559 |
2757 |
|
Turnover |
4090 |
5516 |
5540 |
3565 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to almost 3.57 million USD and decreased by 55% compared to 2023. Exporting goods from Ukraine to Mauritius amounted to 3.1 million USD (decreased by 1.6 times), and imports amounted to 404 thousand USD. Ukraine's positive balance during this period is 2.7 million USD.
The most exported goods in 2024 were sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oils – 978 thousand USD; soybean oil – 634 thousand USD; dried leguminous vegetables – 593 thousand USD; and other prepared or canned meat products – 499 thousand USD.
In 2024, imports from Mauritius to Ukraine were as follows: finished fish products/canned fish, caviar – 180 thousand USD, suits, dresses, and skirts for women or girls – 79 thousand USD, and orthopedic devices – 75 thousand USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
6. Scientific and technical cooperation: none.
5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of January 25, 2022, three students from Mauritius had been studying in Ukrainian higher educational institutions.
7. Legal framework:
Protocol on establishing Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Mauritius.
8. Ukrainian community:
More than 100 Ukrainian citizens live in Mauritius. The Ukrainian Association in Mauritius has been active since 2023 and was officially registered in 2024. It has organized a variety of events, including movie screenings – making Mauritius the first African country to showcase “Mavka: The Forest Song” – as well as cultural festivals and traditional crafts workshops. In 2024, they successfully hosted the Ukraine Independence Day Festival with the French Institute of Mauritius.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine:Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Madagascar
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: March 4, 1992.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: June 10, 1993.
3. Political relations:
November 20-27, 2016 - working visit to Madagascar by the Director of the Middle East and Africa Department as a personal representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to participate in the 99th Permanent Council of Francophonie and the 32nd Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of Francophonie.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Madagascar
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
12100 |
828,2 |
888 |
4910 |
|
Import of goods |
2300 |
1400 |
1550 |
2090 |
|
Balance |
9800 |
-618,1 |
- 671,8 |
2820 |
|
Turnover |
14400 |
2300 |
2450 |
7000 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 7 million USD and increased by 2.9 times compared to the same period in 2023. Ukraine's positive balance during this period amounted to 2.82 million USD.
The export of goods from Ukraine to Madagascar amounted to 4.91 million USD (increased by 5.5 times) and included sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oils in the amount of 3.96 million USD and sugar from sugar cane or sugar beet in solid state in the amount of 896 thousand USD.
The import of goods from Madagascar to Ukraine amounted to 2.09 million USD (increased by 1.3 times) and included suits/overalls and shorts for men or boys in the amount of 464 thousand USD, pepper in the amount of 409 thousand USD, fresh fruits in the amount of 332 thousand USD, and cloves in the amount of 225 thousand USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
5. Scientific and technical cooperation: none.
6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
7. Legal framework:
Protocol on establishing Diplomatic Relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Madagascar.
8. Ukrainian community: none.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine:Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Namibia
1. Recognition of Ukraine's independence: December 30, 1991.
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: October 5, 1992.
3. Political relations:
September 2000 – the presidents of Ukraine and Namibia met within the UN Millennium Summit (New York) framework.
September 21 and October 14, 1999, September 26, 2012 – meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Namibia (New York).
October 11, 2012 – political consultations at the level of Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Namibia (Windhoek).
July 2015 – Meeting of the First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine with the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Foreign Affairs of Namibia in the framework of the 10th International Forum "Croatia Forum 2015" (Dubrovnik, Croatia).
July 10-11, 2022 – Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia Peter Katjavivi visited Ukraine as part of a special mission of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
August 28, 2024: Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs D.Kuleba speaks with Namibian Minister of International Relations and Cooperation P. Mushelengam on the telephone.
On June 11, 2024, Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa M.Subkh met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia P.Katjawavi, Windhoek, Namibia.
There is a practice of protocol correspondence.
4. Trade and economic cooperation.
Volume of bilateral trade in goods Ukraine-Namibia
for the period 2021-2024
(thousands USD)
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Export of goods |
332 |
118,3 |
204,7 |
152 |
|
Import of goods |
413,3 |
150,1 |
155 |
185 |
|
Balance |
-81,3 |
-31,8 |
49,7 |
-33 |
|
Turnover |
745,3 |
268,4 |
359,7 |
337 |
The total trade volume in goods in 2024 amounted to 337 thousand USD and decreased by 6.3% compared to the same period in 2023. The export of goods from Ukraine to Namibia amounted to 152 thousand USD (decreased by 25.7%), and the import of goods from Namibia to Ukraine amounted to 185 thousand USD (increased by 19.3%). Ukraine's negative balance during this period amounted to 33 thousand USD.
Ukraine's exports of pharmaceutical products amounted to 136 thousand USD and meat and poultry by-products to 11 thousand USD.
Imports were represented by the following products: grapes – 124 thousand USD, clams – 22 thousand USD, and frozen fish – 17 thousand USD.
There is no investment cooperation.
5. Scientific and technical cooperation: none.
6. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 90 students from Namibia had been studying in Ukrainian higher educational institutions as of January 25, 2022.
7. Legal framework:
Protocol on establishing diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Namibia.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia.
8. Ukrainian community:
About 40 Ukrainian citizens live in Namibia, most of whom are doctors.
9. Diplomatic mission of Ukraine: the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa.