Press Releases
Meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fujii and Minister Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa
December 10, 2024

On December 10, commencing at 11:00 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, State Minister Fujii welcomed the visit to Japan by Minister Ramokgopa, with the objective to strengthen cooperation between Japan in the energy sector.
- Noting that South Africa is a business hub for Japanese companies in Africa, State Minister Fujii expressed his expectations for the further strengthening of cooperation including the electricity and energy sector which is the base for economic activities. State Minister Fujii also stated that it is a pleasure to see joint research projects in the environment and energy sector in progress, including the development of a new ammonia synthesis system using renewable energy and hydrogen. State Minister Fujii then welcomed the signing of a loan agreement in September of up to 150 million USD in total by JICA and a private Japanese bank to support infrastructure in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, and stated that he hopes to support public-private projects towards the development of South Africa’s economy, including but not limited to the energy sector. In response, Minister Ramokgopa expressed his gratitude for Japan's support in the renewable energy sector among others and expressed his expectations for the further strengthening of cooperation towards the decarbonization of South Africa.
- State Minister Fujii also stated that he hopes to continue working closely together with South Africa, which presides the G20 from December, on international challenges.
- The two sides confirmed that this visit to Japan will be an opportunity to further develop bilateral relations as well as cooperation in the international arena, towards TICAD 9 to be held in August next year.