After Norway's support to the Anti-Apartheid struggle, we established a broad and deep bilateral relationship with the new democratic South-Africa. This relationship has served as an inspiration in making this new strategy. Political, economic, and demographic developments contribute to African countries’ ever-increasing importance in international economy and politics. To safeguard Norwegian interests, we must strengthen and further develop our relations as the world changes. This requires clarity on what Norwegian interests and advantages are. It also requires Norway and African countries to have a good mutual understanding of each other's analyses, positions and priorities.
Norway's relationship with many African countries today covers a wide range of interests. These include security policy, multilateral issues, cooperation on solving global challenges - such as climate change, health crises and future food security - and economic cooperation with an emphasis on business, investment, technology, and knowledge exchange. Development co-operation and humanitarian efforts remain an integral part of Norway's relations with many African countries.
The Government is therefore presenting a new comprehensive strategy for Norwegian engagement with African countries. The aim is to strengthen political and economic co-operation through partnerships based on equality, mutual interests, knowledge and understanding. The strategy also highlights Norway’s investments in green energy in South Africa, along with more than 20 years of research partnerships, as key examples. Norway will continue to work with South Africa and African countries on engagement in security and peace efforts, business and clean energy development, knowledge exchange, and on multilateral and regional cooperation.