Guest Lecture: New Directions in EU–South Africa Relations

On 19 February, students of the Master’s in European Union and International Relations at CEU San Pablo University had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by Prof. Bhaso Ndzendze, a leading scholar in African politics and international relations from the University of Johannesburg.

His talk explored the evolving relationship between the European Union and South Africa, focusing on trade dynamics, geopolitical shifts, and institutional cooperation. The session highlighted how strong bilateral trade ties can serve as a foundation for broader multilateral dialogue between Europe and Africa.

A Strategic Partnership in a Changing World

Prof. Ndzendze explained that the EU’s engagement with Africa operates on two levels: multilateral cooperation with the African Union and bilateral relations with individual states. South Africa stands out as a key partner due to its economic weight, political influence, and regional leadership role.

Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, relations with the EU have deepened significantly, particularly in areas such as climate policy, sustainable development, public health, and security. The 2025 EU–South Africa Summit in Cape Town marked a milestone, producing a joint declaration on cooperation and announcing a €4.7-billion European investment package for energy, infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals.

Trade as the Backbone of Cooperation

The European Union is South Africa’s largest source of foreign direct investment and a major trading partner. While countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Italy dominate trade flows, emerging markets within the EU — including Greece and several Central and Eastern European states — are becoming increasingly important.

Prof. Ndzendze noted the rapid growth of South African exports to countries like Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Romania, illustrating the diversification of economic ties across the continent.

Challenges Ahead: Sustainability and Global Policy

The lecture also addressed emerging challenges, particularly the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which could significantly affect South African exports due to the country’s coal-intensive industrial base. Navigating the balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability will require careful negotiation and coordinated policy responses.

As a major regional economy closely linked to its neighbours through the Southern African Development Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, South Africa’s relationship with the EU has implications far beyond bilateral ties.

The Role of the CIDRA Project

Within this context, the CIDRA project provides an important academic platform for dialogue between European and African institutions. By bringing together universities from both regions, the initiative aims to foster research, debate, and policy innovation on shared challenges and opportunities.

Prof. Ndzendze concluded by emphasising that strengthening EU–South Africa relations — both bilaterally and within broader multilateral frameworks — will be essential for sustainable growth, regional stability, and global cooperation in the years ahead.

This lecture was organised as part of the CIDRA project, reinforcing CEU San Pablo University’s commitment to international academic collaboration and global engagement.