South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology revealed that the deal is aimed to achieve technical development and expansion in the information and communication sectors markets in the two countries.
These deals covered the fields of energy, water, green hydrogen, waste diversion, logistics, and aerial survey services.
The two countries will work together in a number of areas which include education, health, e-government, tourism, smart cities, fixed and wireless broadband, IP networks and data centers, internet applications, and wireless services, including satellite communications.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Amer Al-Sawah, and South Africa’s minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, are on the sidelines of the Saudi-South African Investment Forum in Jeddah.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were formalised during a visit by former President Nelson Mandela to Saudi Arabia in November 1994. Relationships between the countries have developed.
In 2019, Saudi Arabia exported US$3.69 billion worth of goods to South Africa while South Africa exported US$829 Million worth of exports to Saudi Arabia, with most exports being minerals.
Saudi-South African trade is constantly growing. It has increased from $4.6 billion in 2019 to around $4.8 billion last year and is expected to exceed $5.3 billion in 2022.