Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto said the two countries are working together to advance African interests, while acknowledging that their role is not to dominate but to contribute meaningfully to continental priorities.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Friday, Political Analyst Dr Shingai Mutizwa-Mangiza said both countries have increasingly established themselves as key actors within Africa and beyond.
Mutizwa-Mangiza said SA’s leadership roles in groupings such as the G20 and Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA alliance have reinforced its standing in global diplomacy, while Kenya’s expanding footprint in international peacekeeping and multilateral engagement has strengthened its influence.
According to Mutizwa-Mangiza, the convergence of these roles reflects a broader shift in global governance, where voices from the Global South are gaining prominence. Mutizwa-Mangiza said the partnership between Pretoria and Nairobi aligns with efforts to articulate common African positions in international forums, particularly at a time when the multilateral system is under strain.
On Africa’s broader influence, Mutizwa-Mangiza said there are growing signs that the continent is shaping discussions on global governance, finance and development. Recent international engagements have seen African priorities gaining traction, while debates around reforms in institutions such as the United Nations have placed issues like African representation increasingly in focus.
Mutizwa-Mangiza said Africa’s importance is also being driven by global interest in its resources, markets and role in sectors such as technology, finance and healthcare. Mutizwa-Mangiza said these factors are contributing to a gradual rise in the continent’s visibility and influence on the global stage.
Both SA and Kenya are also seen as playing important roles in peace and security across Africa. Mutizwa-Mangiza said South Africa has a history of involvement in mediation and peacekeeping efforts across various regions, while Kenya has played a central role in conflict resolution initiatives in East Africa, including Sudan and South Sudan.
On economic cooperation, Mutizwa-Mangiza said there remains significant untapped potential between the two economies. Kenya is SA’s largest trading partner in East Africa, and both countries are exploring opportunities to strengthen ties in areas such as financial technology, agriculture and small business development.
Mutizwa-Mangiza said Kenya’s leadership in fintech and mobile money innovation presents opportunities for knowledge-sharing, while SA’s more developed systems for supporting small and medium enterprises could offer lessons for strengthening business ecosystems.
Mutizwa-Mangiza said collaboration across these sectors could help drive industrialisation, boost job creation and deepen economic integration across the continent. Mutizwa-Mangiza added that partnerships between the two countries could also serve as a model for broader intra-African cooperation under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
–ChannelAfrica–
