South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen met with Kuwait’s Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Salem Al-Shebli, on March 10, 2026.
The meeting, which took place recently, centred on potential investment in South Africa’s farming sector and avenues for mutual benefit in food production and agribusiness. Both parties expressed commitment to formalising cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the near future.
South Africa continues to seek strategic foreign partnerships to support agricultural growth, improve resilience against climate challenges, and expand export markets. Kuwait, looking to diversify its economy beyond oil, has shown increasing interest in global agriculture and food-security initiatives.
The engagement reflects Pretoria’s broader diplomatic approach to building economic alliances with Gulf states. While specific terms of the proposed MOU have not yet been disclosed, officials indicated that the talks represent a positive step toward technology sharing, joint projects, and enhanced trade in agricultural goods.
Stakeholders in the sector will be watching closely as negotiations progress, with expectations that the partnership could contribute to job creation, innovation in arid-zone farming techniques, and improved food security outcomes for both nations.
