Johannesburg: Trade and investment ties with the African Union, particularly South Africa, are a priority, as stated by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. South Africa was Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Africa in 2024, and as the biggest foreign investor from the African Union, there is hope this close relationship continues to flourish and deliver mutual benefits for both nations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in 2024, South Africa was Malaysia’s largest trading partner on the African continent, with total bilateral trade valued at RM7.82 billion (US$1.71 billion). Malaysia’s exports to South Africa amounted to RM3.84 billion (US$840 million), while imports stood at RM3.98 billion (US$870 million).

Tengku Zafrul emphasized that the MADANI Government values the contributions of Malaysians abroad as envoys who play a vital role in expanding networks and enhancing Malaysia’s global standing. During official visits to Ethiopia and South Africa, he shared the nation’s aspirations, focusing on boosting trade and investment as part of MITI’s core mission.

He highlighted Malaysia’s economic achievements, noting the country’s robust GDP growth of 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2025, and expressed confidence in achieving the 2025 growth target of 4 to 4.8 percent. For the first nine months of 2025, Malaysia attracted RM285.2 billion in approved investments, with foreign investment accounting for 52.9% of that total.

Tengku Zafrul is part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s delegation on a tour of three African countries – Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kenya – from Nov 18 to 24, 2025. Anwar was invited to the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, in Malaysia’s capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2025.

The delegation, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Malaysian government officials, and a business delegation, will proceed to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23 to 24, before returning to Malaysia.