Following the 2022 government-to-government negotiations on South African-German development cooperation which took place early October in Pretoria, the German government has announced a R6.2 billion funding commitment that is set to accelerate South Africa’s just energy transition.
Issued in the form of grants and subsidized loans, the funding will cover a two-year cycle with specific focus granted to climate and energy, sustainable economic development, skills development and training, and health-related and inclusivity fields.
In the meeting – which was headed by Birgit Pickel, Director General Africa at the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and representatives from the South African National Treasury – parties discussed a Just Energy Transition Partnership that will see Germany supporting the southern African country in its pursuit of a transition to cleaner sources of fuel as well as the protection of livelihoods and the overall economy.
With the partnership and the R6.2 billion funding, the two countries have reconfirmed five bilateral focus areas including peaceful and inclusive societies; climate and energy; sustainable economic development; training and employment; as well as health and pandemics.
Committing to further strengthen these areas of cooperation, Germany and South Africa will leverage their over 30 years of joint cooperation to drive the transition as well as associated socioeconomic growth in South Africa.