President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, October 13th arrived in London, United Kingdom, for the starting of a two-day working visit. The South African President will deliver his keynote opening address at the 6th Financial Times Summit on Monday, October 14th.
The summit is held at Claridge’s in the capital London. His arrival in the UK was confirmed by the Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko who according to SABC News said on the sidelines of the summit, Ramaphosa is expected to engage investors and business leaders with the aim and intention of attracting further investment into South Africa.
President @CyrilRamaphosa has arrived in London, United Kingdom, to begin a two-day working visit. #InvestSA #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/CwyU8FvnZ4
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) October 13, 2019
Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of Small Business Development Khumbuzo Ntshavheni and Presidential Special Envoy on Investment Mcebisi Jonas.
The Financial Times Africa Summit is hosted annually by the Financial Times newspaper with a focus on business affairs and opportunities in African nations. This year’s theme, ‘Africa in Motion’, places a special emphasis on youth, women, entrepreneurs, scientists and artists and innovation.
The overarching theme is that ‘Africa’s home-made solutions are becoming more relevant as the African continent takes its destiny into its own hands’.
“The summit will discuss business, investment as well as the political and cultural environment in Africa with expert speakers, potential investors and innovators,” Diko said
Ramaphosa was last time in London was in April 2018 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting but was forced to return early due to Mahikeng protests.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s trip to the UK to try and boost investment comes as Britain enters an important phase in working out the future of Brexit and therefore future trading relations with South Africa.