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Canada-South Africa relations

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Bilateral relations

Canada established diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1939. In South Africa, Canada maintains a High Commission in Pretoria which is concurrently accredited to Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Namibia, a trade office in Johannesburg, and an honorary consul in Cape Town. In Canada, South Africa maintains a High Commission in Ottawa, a Consulate General in Toronto, and has honorary consuls in Vancouver and Sudbury.

Canada and South Africa maintain a broad relationship based on shared values of democracy, security and prosperity. Canada’s anti-apartheid efforts within the Commonwealth in the 1980s and  support towards the establishment of a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, democratic society in South Africa strengthened the ties between both countries.In 2001, Nelson Mandela became the first living person to be awarded honorary Canadian citizenship, which was bestowed in recognition of his leadership in the fight against apartheid and his efforts to build democracy in South Africa.

Canada and South Africa are both members of a number of multilateral organizations, including the Commonwealth and the G20, and collaborate on important issues such as women’s empowerment, the environment and climate action, and regional security. Canada and South Africa hold strategic annual bilateral consultations, which cover issues such as foreign policy, trade and investment, environment and climate change, education, culture as well as science, technology and innovation.

Canada-South Africa relations are characterized by extensive and enduring ties, including in the arts, education, and scientific research. Many Canadians recall with appreciation the extensive support that South African firefighters have provided during Canadian wildfire seasons dating back to 2015.

Examples of projects in which Canada has made significant investments include:

Trade relations

As one of Africa’s most diversified and largest economies, South Africa is a prime destination for Canadian goods and services on the continent. In 2024, two-way merchandise trade between both countries totaled $2.91 billion, consisting of $582.3 million in exports from Canada, and $2.3 billion in imports from South Africa. Bilateral trade in services is growing rapidly. There was $713 million in two-way services trade with South Africa in 2023. Services exports were $336.9 million in 2023, up 19.6% from 2022, led by commercial services. Services imports were $377 million in 2023, up 40.7% from 2022, and led by transportation and government services.

Canada is a significant investor in South Africa. In 2024, the Canadian direct investment position in South Africa was $523 million. The direct investment position from South Africa in Canada was $1.87B, up from $37 million in 2023. The direct investment by South Africa accounted for 0.12% of the total direct investment in Canada. Canadian investments focus on the mineral and mining sector, as well as transportation, food processing, hospitality, creative industries and information and communication technologies. Canada and South Africa also have a history of cultural cooperation – South Africa’s first Audiovisual Co-Production Agreement was with Canada in 1997, which was renewed in 2024.

Trade and investment between Canada and South Africa are facilitated by several agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in mining and mineral development and a double taxation agreement.

In 2015, Export Development Canada opened its permanent office in Johannesburg to provide Canadian companies with trade finance, risk management solutions, and market expertise, helping them connect with business opportunities across sub-Saharan Africa.

Development

Canada is deepening its partnership with South Africa to advance inclusive and sustainable economic growth, strengthen resilient supply chains, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and create opportunities for people, businesses, and institutions in both countries.

In 2024-25, Canada provided $73 million in international assistance to South Africa. Canada's partnership increasingly focuses on areas of mutual economic interest that support South Africa's development priorities while fostering collaboration in innovation, investment, skills development, and clean growth. A key area of cooperation is South Africa's Just Energy Transition (JET). Through financing, technical assistance, and multilateral partnerships. Canada supports efforts to strengthen energy security, expand clean energy, and build a more inclusive green economy. This collaboration advances skills development, women's economic participation, and community resilience, while promoting partnerships in renewable energy, clean technologies, sustainable infrastructure, industrial decarbonization, and responsible critical minerals development.

Through its bilateral development program, Canada supports governance, skills development, gender equality, human rights, and mutual economic partnerships. Canadian programming strengthens public institutions, enhances workforce readiness through technical and vocational training, and expands economic participation for youth, women, and underserved communities. Canada also supports local women's rights organizations and initiatives that advance human rights.

Canada and South Africa also collaborate on climate action, biodiversity conservation, research, innovation, and health security. Building on South Africa's role as a regional economic hub, this partnership promotes sustainable development, economic integration, and stronger commercial, scientific and institutional ties between Canada and Africa.

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides support to local organizations contributing to the achievement of Canada’s priorities for international assistance, with special emphasis on good governance, protecting and promoting human rights including gender equality, and growth that works for everyone. Since 2020, the CFLI has funded more than 40 small-scale, high-impact projects in South Africa, totaling over $1 million in contributions.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and South Africa work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

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