Nepal and South Africa agree to expand cooperation in trade, investment and tourism, building on existing diplomatic ties and efforts to strengthen economic and private-sector engagement.
Nepal and South Africa have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and tourism, with discussions also focusing on infrastructure development and greater private-sector engagement, according to a report published by Ratopati. The discussions reflect both countries’ interest in expanding economic ties and identifying new areas of collaboration.
The engagement comes as Nepal seeks to broaden its international economic partnerships and attract investment across key sectors. South Africa, meanwhile, offers potential opportunities for cooperation in mining equipment, defence-related equipment, agro-processing and agricultural products. Tourism is another area of mutual interest, with South African visitors contributing to Nepal’s adventure-tourism sector.
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The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1994 and marked 30 years of ties in 2024. Their cooperation has included engagement through international forums, with both countries participating in the Non-Aligned Movement and United Nations peacekeeping operations. They have also expressed shared interests in peace, democracy, human rights and development.
A Declaration of Intent on Cooperation signed in March 2023 established a framework for advancing bilateral relations through structured consultations at the senior-official level. The framework provides a basis for identifying practical areas of cooperation and strengthening institutional engagement.
Recent diplomatic discussions have also highlighted economic and investment cooperation, South-South cooperation and multilateral engagement. In October 2026, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal met South Africa’s non-resident ambassador to Nepal, Professor Anil Sooklal. The meeting covered ways to strengthen bilateral relations, alongside climate change and international cooperation following severe flooding in Nepal.
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Closer engagement in trade, investment and tourism could help both countries explore new business opportunities and expand people-to-people connections. Turning these areas of interest into measurable outcomes will depend on continued diplomatic engagement, private sector participation and the development of specific cooperation initiatives.