Cordial SA-Portugal Relations Spotlighted in High-Level Meeting
Image Credit: DIRCO
On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes held a courtesy meeting with Dr Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic.
The discussions underscored the cordial relations between South Africa and Portugal, underpinned by the South Africa–Portugal Bilateral Consultations mechanism established in 2002. Cooperation spans agriculture, defence, education, energy, science and technology, tourism, oceans and fisheries, and trade and investment.
South Africa hosts the third-largest Portuguese community outside Portugal, after France and Brazil, enriching cultural links. Portugal remains a key economic partner, bolstered by the SADC–EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
While bilateral economic relations are solid, they have yet to reach full potential. South Africa seeks to expand trade and investment, leveraging Portugal’s strengths in renewable energy, the digital economy, and automotive components. Opportunities also exist to diversify South African exports, particularly in agricultural products like citrus fruits and avocados.
