His Excellency Mr. Darkey Ephraim Africa, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Thailand and concurrently accredited to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, recently concluded a high-level official visit to Laos.
During the visit, Ambassador Africa held productive meetings with key Lao government officials, including H.E. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Ms. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Dr. Saynakhone Inthavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment; Mr. Chanthaboun Soukaloun, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Bounthanongsack Chanthalath, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific and Africa Department; and Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The visit, part of ongoing efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation, featured a series of targeted meetings with senior Lao officials and business leaders. Diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on 27 September 1994, have steadily grown, with recent engagements highlighting shared interests in trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, and sustainable development.
Accompanied by Ms. Boipelo Motsi, Political Counsellor at the South African Embassy in Bangkok, the delegation also addressed consular priorities and engaged the Lao business community through a dedicated presentation on South African trade and investment opportunities. The session spotlighted South Africa’s diverse economy, including its world-renowned tourism attractions such as national parks, cultural heritage sites, and coastal destinations. Many Lao participants, visiting South Africa for the first time in prospect, expressed enthusiasm, while urging improved direct air connectivity to boost travel and economic exchanges. The visit underscored both nations’ commitment to deepening ties amid evolving global dynamics, with bilateral trade showing modest but positive balances in recent periods.
Meeting with H.E. Mr. Thongsavan Phomvihane, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ambassador Africa held a key courtesy call with Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane, where both sides reviewed the longstanding friendship between Laos and South Africa. They praised the steady progress since diplomatic relations began over three decades ago and exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in high-potential areas like trade, investment, tourism, mining, and agriculture. The minister reaffirmed Laos’ readiness to support the ambassador’s mission, while Ambassador Africa committed to closer collaboration to advance mutual interests and South-South solidarity.
Meeting with H.E. Ms. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Culture and Tourism
Discussions with Minister of Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket centered on unlocking tourism synergies. South Africa presented its vibrant tourism sector, from wildlife safaris to cultural experiences, drawing strong interest from the Lao side. Both parties explored opportunities for cultural exchanges, ecotourism promotion, and people-to-people connections, recognizing tourism as a driver of inclusive growth and economic diversification for both land-linked and southern African economies.
Meeting with Dr. Saynakhone Inthavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment
In talks with Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dr. Saynakhone Inthavong, the focus shifted to agricultural collaboration and environmental sustainability. Ambassador Africa highlighted South Africa’s expertise in modern farming techniques, value addition, and export-oriented agriculture. The meeting identified mutual benefits in sharing knowledge on crop production, livestock, and sustainable practices, aligning with Laos’ priorities for food security and agro-processing amid regional market demands.
Meeting with Mr. Chanthaboun Soukaloun, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce
Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce Chanthaboun Soukaloun engaged Ambassador Africa on industrial and commercial expansion. Conversations emphasized boosting bilateral trade flows, investment in value-added industries, and market access. Both sides discussed barriers to growth and potential partnerships in manufacturing and processing, building on South Africa’s strengths in technology transfer and Laos’ emerging industrial base.
Meeting with Mr. Bounthanongsack Chanthalath, Director-General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Department
Director-General Bounthanongsack Chanthalath of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asia-Pacific and Africa Department held strategic discussions on regional and continental linkages. The meeting reinforced diplomatic frameworks and explored avenues for multilateral cooperation, including within forums like ASEAN and the African Union, to foster deeper political and economic engagement between Southeast Asia and Africa.
Meeting with Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The visit culminated in a productive session with Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The South African delegation delivered a comprehensive presentation on trade and investment prospects, sparking lively interest among Lao businesspersons. Participants highlighted untapped potential and called for direct flights to facilitate easier business travel, tourism, and deals.
This visit marks a significant step in elevating Pretoria-Vientiane relations, paving the way for enhanced economic diplomacy and collaborative prosperity in the years ahead.
