South African president arrives in Indonesia for first state visit

Source: TV BRICS | Original Published At: 2025-10-23 09:00:39 UTC

Key Points

• State visit focuses on strengthening strategic cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa
• Bilateral talks cover trade, investment, renewable energy, education, and cultural exchange
• Mutual visa exemption agreement proposed to enhance people-to-people ties
• Collaboration within BRICS, G20, and Non-Aligned Movement frameworks emphasized
• Joint Trade Committee revival and SME support identified as priority areas

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Jakarta for a state visit aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Delegations from both sides held bilateral talks focused on expanding collaboration in trade, investment, renewable energy, education and cultural exchange, according to Antara News. The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to deepen ties within the framework of the Global South and to promote broader, more strategic cooperation.

“I welcomed the Republic of Indonesia as one of the newest members of the BRICS family”
Cyril Ramaphosa President of South Africa

President Subianto expressed Indonesia’s intention to further enhance cooperation with South Africa, including the development of closer ties between their citizens through a mutual visa exemption agreement.

“I plan to attend the G20 Summit, and I believe this will symbolise the strength of South–South cooperation”
Prabowo Subianto President of Indonesia

The Indonesian leader also underlined his commitment to implementing the cooperation agreements by dispatching technical teams and delegations to discuss specific programmes, describing his talks with President Ramaphosa as productive, particularly in the economic sector.

“We discussed global issues as partners in organisations such as BRICS, the G20, and the Non-Aligned Movement, among others,” Ramaphosa said.

Earlier this month, Indonesia and South Africa agreed to boost trade and business development following a meeting between Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso and South African Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zoko Godlembe. Both sides emphasised the importance of reviving the Joint Trade Committee and pursuing new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.