COUNTRY PROFILE / SOUTH AFRICA

Continent : Africa

Official Name : Republic of South Africa

Nature of the Regime : Parliamentary

Head of State : CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Area : 1,219,912 km²

Currency : South African Rand

Population (2022, IMF) : 60.1 million inhabitants

Capitals : Administrative : Pretoria/Tshwane

Main Cities : Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, East Rand/Ekurhuleni

Official Languages : English, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Swazi, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana

Agreements and Conventions

Several cooperation agreements have been signed between Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa in various fields. These include:

• Agreement for the Establishment of the Ivorian-South African Joint Commission signed on December 5, 2015;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services signed on July 30, 1993;
• Agreement for the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations signed on May 21, 1992;
• Cooperation Convention for the Technical Management of the Abokouamékro Wildlife Park signed on July 26, 1990.

Additionally, the two countries have waived visa requirements for holders of diplomatic or service passports for stays not exceeding 30 days.

Other projects are currently under negotiation, including:

• Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Technical Cooperation initiated by three Ivorian Ministries: the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, Craftsmanship, and SME Promotion, and the Ministry of Industry and Mines;
• Agreement on Cooperation in Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technological Innovation initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;
• Agricultural Cooperation Agreement initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture;
• Cultural Cooperation Agreement initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie;
• Protocol on Cooperation for Road Infrastructure Development initiated by the Ministry of Economic Infrastructures;
• Protocol on Economic and Technical Cooperation;
• Framework Agreement on Cooperation.

During the state visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2021 to Abidjan, nine agreements were signed:

• Defense Cooperation Agreement;
• Agricultural Cooperation Agreement;
• Agreement on Air Services (with an indefinite duration);
• Youth Promotion Cooperation Agreement;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communication Technologies;
• Agreement on Energy, Mining, Geology, and Hydrocarbons;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Employment;
• Agreement on Women Empowerment and Gender Equality;
• Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations.

Moreover, six new bilateral cooperation agreements were also signed on July 22, 2022, in Pretoria during President Alassane Ouattara's state visit. These agreements focus on social development and inclusion, economic cooperation, and transportation.

A. The main exported products are:

Rubber,Cashew nuts, Bulk cotton, Wood, Processed cocoa, Essential oils, Plastic products

B. The main imported products are:

Plastics, Road transport equipment, Iron and steel, Mechanical machinery, Automobiles, Fresh fruits and vegetables

Sources: DGE-DPPSE

Sources: DGE-DPCEI

• The value of bilateral trade reached 373.700 billion CFA francs in 2022, compared to 301.961 billion CFA francs in 2021.
• For the period 2018-2022, the average value of Ivorian exports is estimated at 249.536 billion CFA francs per year, compared to 71.547 billion CFA francs per year for imports.
• For the period 2018-2022, the trade balance is positive for Côte d'Ivoire.