SA, EU Sign Critical Minerals Deal

South Africa and the European Union have signed a landmark agreement to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals, with both sides committing to local processing and the development of a more resilient, value-added supply chain. Concluded on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, the pact forms part of a broader multibillion-euro investment package aimed at boosting green hydrogen, clean technologies, and infrastructure. Leaders from both blocs highlighted that the partnership reinforces their shared commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order. South Africa said the deal would support its efforts to move up the value chain by processing minerals at their source, rather than merely exporting raw materials, while the EU views the collaboration as vital to securing key metals needed for energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing.