JOHANNESBURG November 21, 2025 – Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim today paid a courtesy call on President of the Republic of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, on the sidelines of the 2025 G20 Summit which begins tomorrow.
During the meeting, Anwar extended congratulations to South Africa for becoming the first African nation to hold the G20 Presidency. He stated that this year’s theme – “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” – is fully aligned with Malaysia’s priorities as ASEAN Chair 2025, with particular emphasis on strengthening disaster resilience, debt stability, and ensuring fair and sustainable funding for energy transition.
“Malaysia is ready to finalise and sign several important documents, including MoUs on economic and industrial cooperation, halal cooperation, agriculture, green energy, technology, research, as well as cooperation in education and TVET,” Anwar said in a statement posted on his social media immediately after the meeting.
The Prime Minister also offered space and incentives at the MY Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Park to South African companies to participate in Malaysia’s rapidly growing semiconductor value chain.
The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral relations following President Ramaphosa’s official visit to Putrajaya last October. Key areas of focus included:
– Strengthening defence cooperation;
– Increasing trade in beef products;
– Collaboration in science and innovation.
Anwar further sought South Africa’s support for Malaysia’s candidatures to several international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).
“Malaysia is committed to building stronger ties based on solidarity, trust, and a development agenda that mutually benefits the people of both Malaysia and South Africa,” Anwar emphasised.
This bilateral meeting is regarded as a positive follow-up to President Ramaphosa’s visit to Malaysia last month and is expected to lead to several key agreements being sealed in the near future, further solidifying Malaysia’s position as a strategic partner for South Africa in Southeast Asia.
