The Vredefort Dome in South Africa is the world’s largest known meteorite impact structure, formed approximately 2.02 billion years ago.
The Republic of South Africa
South AfricaSouthern Africa-2:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati and South African Sign Language
National CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
National Day(s)27 April (Freedom Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalPretoria
Economic CapitalJohannesburg
Cultural CapitalCape Town
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 8 – 8.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportO.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Primary PortPort of Durban
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline2,798 km
Highest PointMafadi (3,450 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverOrange River
ClimateSemi-arid to subtropical climate
Border Countries
BotswanaEswatiniLesothoMozambiqueNamibiaZimbabwe
6Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
The Cape Floral Region contains around 20% of Africa’s plant species on less than 0.5% of its land.
Almost two-thirds of the country’s plant species are found nowhere else on Earth.
Robben Island transformed from a place of imprisonment into an international symbol of freedom and reconciliation.
The Cradle of Humankind preserves some of the world’s most important evidence of early human evolution found in the country.
Government functions are divided among three capitals in South Africa: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
The ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe traded gold and ivory with distant civilizations across the Indian Ocean.
The world’s first human-to-human heart transplant was performed in Cape Town in 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard and his team.
South Africa is the only country known to have built and then voluntarily eliminated its entire nuclear arsenal.
Blombos Cave contains an abstract drawing made approximately 73,000 years ago, among the earliest known examples of abstract art.
The Cullinan Diamond, the world’s largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered, was found near Pretoria in 1905, weighing approximately 3,106 carats.
Nelson Mandela became the country’s first democratically elected president in 1994.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | South AfricaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
Since February 2018
H.E. Ronald Ozzy Lamola
Since July 2024
H.E. Enoch Godongwana
Since August 2021
H.E. Mpho Parks Franklyn Tau
Since July 2024
H.E. Matsie Angelina Motshekga
Since July 2024
Political Summary
Political System
Parliamentary republic with an executive president.
The President, elected by the National Assembly, is both head of state and head of government.
Ruling Party
African National Congress (ANC): Centre-left (since 2024)
Main Opposition Force(s)
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK): PopulistEconomic Freedom Fighters (EFF): Far-left
Next Presidential Election
Expected in 2029
Next Legislative Election
2029
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
46Organizations
36Member
1Founding Member
3Partner, Observer or Participant
6Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | South Africa | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations17 May 199432 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Mahash Saeed Salem Mahash Al HameliUAE Ambassador to South Africa · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Bulelani Gratitude MagwanisheAmbassador of South Africa to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures34Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates34
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures1Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo1
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin South Africa | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Not Signed | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 23 Nov 2015.Entered into force on 23 Nov 2016. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 3 Feb 2001. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to South Africa | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateFeb2026
- H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanCrown Prince of Abu DhabiNov2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of Foreign TradeOct2025
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateDec2024
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateSep2023
- H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al QasimiRuler of Ras Al KhaimahAug2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign AffairsJun2023
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeApr2023
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateAug2022
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Ronald LamolaMinister of International Relations and Cooperation of South AfricaJan2026
- H.E. Cyril RamaphosaPresident of South AfricaJan2026
- H.E. Mpho Parks TauMinister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South AfricaNov2025
- H.E. Candith Mashego-DlaminiDeputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South AfricaJun2023
- H.E. Lubabalo Oscar MabuyanePremier of the Eastern Cape Province of South AfricaMar2023
- H.E. Thandi ModiseMinister of Defense and Military Veterans of South AfricaFeb2023
- H.E. Cyril RamaphosaPresident of South AfricaMar2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)221.8USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)21,010.0USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major South African Companies in the UAE
Standard Bank DIFC BranchBanking
Investec DIFC BranchBanking
MTN Dubai LtdTelecommunications
Sasol Middle East FZCOChemicals
Aspen Pharma EME DubaiPharmaceuticals
Nando’s UAEFood and beverage
Major UAE Companies in South Africa
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP WorldPorts and logistics
MasdarRenewable energy
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)South African Business Council
International Office(s)Cape Town, South Africa
UAE-South African Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Last meeting held in October 2022.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research