Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South African businesses to push deeper into the United States market, saying this move will open doors for growth and job creation on both sides of the Atlantic. In his weekly newsletter dated Monday, 29 September 2025, titled “Business ties with the United States are strong and expanding”, Ramaphosa shared insights from his recent trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
He painted a picture of thriving partnerships that go beyond politics, with US firms keen to invest in South Africa and local companies ready to spread their wings abroad. This push comes at a key time, as trade talks heat up and both nations look to boost economic ties amid global pressures like tariffs and supply chain shifts.
The President’s words highlight a relationship built on mutual gains, with over 600 US companies already operating in South Africa and creating thousands of jobs. But he stressed the need for balance, urging more South African firms to set up shop in the US to even the playing field and spark employment there too. As the world grapples with economic ups and downs, Ramaphosa’s message is clear: stronger business links can drive prosperity for everyday people, from factory workers in Gauteng to farmers in the Midwest.  With the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) up for renewal and new trade deals in the works, this could mark a fresh chapter in SA-US relations, worth over R3 billion in annual trade flows.
New York Engagements Spotlight Growing Business Bonds
Ramaphosa’s trip to New York was packed with meetings that showed the real buzz between South African and American businesses. He kicked things off with a Trade and Investment Dialogue hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, the world’s biggest business lobby group with fingers in over 120 countries, including South Africa.  The event brought together government officials, industry leaders and investors from both sides, all eager to talk shop on new opportunities.
The President shared how US firms praised South Africa’s reforms, like easing red tape and boosting infrastructure, which are opening doors for fresh investments. Some companies already have a foothold here, while others are eyeing entry into sectors ripe for growth. Ramaphosa also met with US Congress and Senate members, plus administration reps, to keep the dialogue flowing at the top levels. These chats went beyond handshakes—they touched on real deals that could pump billions into the economy and create jobs for thousands.
Kendra Gaither, head of the US-Africa Business Center at the Chamber, called the SA-US link “foundational” and worth special care. Later this year, the Chamber’s CEO will lead a top team to the B20 Summit, the business arm of the G20, showing their commitment to deeper ties. Despite global trade tensions, like recent US tariffs hitting South African exports, businesses are pushing ahead, focusing on wins rather than woes.
Key Sectors Ripe for Investment and Expansion
Ramaphosa spotlighted areas where South Africa shines as an investment spot, from critical minerals to tech and farming. With the world racing towards green energy and digital shifts, SA’s rich deposits in things like platinum and lithium are drawing US eyes. He talked up chances in agriculture, where SA’s fruits and wines already hit US shelves, and in healthcare, where local firms like Aspen Pharmacare are making waves globally.
Advanced manufacturing and pharma also got a nod, with US giants like Ford and IBM already embedded in SA, employing over 100,000 locals across various sectors. On the flip side, Ramaphosa wants more SA companies like Sasol, which has a massive presence in Louisiana creating American jobs, or Naspers with its tech investments through Prosus, to grow their US footprint. This reciprocity, he said, will not only balance trade but also build skills and spark innovation back home.
South Africa ranks as the second-biggest African market for US exports, with two-way trade hitting around R3 billion in recent years. US goods like machinery, chemicals and aircraft flow in, while SA sends minerals, vehicles and fruits out. But with SA enjoying a trade surplus of about R150 billion, Ramaphosa sees room to grow exports and investments that create jobs on both ends.
Tackling Trade Hurdles: From Tariffs to AGOA Renewal
Not everything is smooth sailing, as Ramaphosa noted global trade frictions that sometimes spill over. Recent US tariffs, including a 30% hit on some SA exports since August 2025, have raised concerns, with the President calling out how trade is being “used as a weapon”. These moves, linked to broader US policies under the current administration, could dent SA’s economy, but talks are underway to ease them through reciprocal deals.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is deep in chats with the US Trade Representative to hammer out agreements that benefit both sides. A big win would be renewing AGOA, which gives duty-free access to the US for SA goods and supports thousands of jobs here. The US Chamber backs this, calling AGOA the “cornerstone” of ties, as it keeps supply chains humming for American firms too.
Ramaphosa also plugged the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game-changer, opening up a billion-person market that could lure more US investment to SA as a gateway. The new SA-US Trade and Investment Forum, launching at next year’s South Africa Investment Conference, will act as a bridge to seal more deals.
Building a Future-Proof Partnership: One Deal at a Time
Wrapping up, Ramaphosa echoed the US Chamber’s view that strong ties grow “one deal, one investment at a time”. Despite bumps like tariffs, the optimism from New York shows businesses are committed to long-term wins. Recent examples include US tech giants like Google expanding data centres in SA, creating hundreds of jobs, and SA firms like Discovery Health partnering with US insurers for better services.
For South Africans, this means more opportunities in a tough economy, where unemployment hovers around 33%. By expanding into the US, local companies can bring in skills, tech and cash that lift communities back home. As Ramaphosa leads the charge in the GNU, his focus on these ties could help steer SA towards steadier growth, proving that smart partnerships beat isolation any day.
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