UAE Embassy in Pretoria-Bilateral Relationship

Official diplomatic relations were established between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, when Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited South Africa in 1994 to inaugurate the late Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa.
The first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates arrived in South Africa on November 12, 1995. South Africa also opened its embassy in Abu Dhabi on January 17, 1995, and its consulate in Dubai in August 1999.
The first round of the Joint Committee was held in 2015, the second round in 2018, and the third committee in 2023. Hosting the work of the Joint Committee seeks to develop relations at all levels and confirms the keenness to develop and strengthen the distinguished relations between the two countries. Trade relations and partnerships between the two countries have witnessed remarkable growth since the establishment of the Joint Committee between the UAE and South Africa, in various fields of common interest, including the economic and investment sectors.
The Republic of South Africa exempted UAE citizens holding regular passports from prior visa requirements, and the decision became effective from August 15, 2019.
Beyond bilateral relations, the two countries are members of various multilateral forums such as BRICS, the New BRICS Development Bank, IORA, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations General Assembly. (United Nations General Assembly). The joint multilateral membership provide the two countries with a platform to strengthen bilateral relations and also to support each other’s candidacy for leadership roles in those forums.
With the UAE being an observer member of the African Union and South Africa being a member of the African Union, the two countries have the potential to establish further cooperation in the areas of peace and security for the benefit of both the African continent and the Middle East.
His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, attended the COP28 conference during the period from 1-2 December 2023, and His Excellency Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, also attended the conference. His Excellency Paul Mashatile, Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, also made a working visit to the UAE during the period 22-25 April 2024, accompanied by a high-level work team. In 2025, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E Prof. Blade Nzimande visited the UAE and participated in the 2025 World Governments Summit, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, H.E Dean Macpherson visited the UAE and met with major financial and funding institutions, including the Emirates Investment Authority and the Mubadala Investment Company and Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, H.E Mondli Gungubele visited the UAE and participated in the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Leaders' Summit
Under its G-20 Presidency, South Africa invited the UAE to participate in the 2025 G-20 activities including the Leaders’ Summit, the Summit that was attended by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on behalf of the President of the UAE. The Crown Prince announced the launch of the UAE’s US$ 1 Billion AI Development Initiative for Africa.
From 12 to 13 January 2026, the South African President H.E Cyril Ramaphosa undertook an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ASDW).