Development Co‑operation Profiles: South Africa
Table of contents
South Africa’s African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) emphasises co-operation with the African continent through promoting democracy, good governance, the prevention and resolution of conflict, socio-economic development and integration, humanitarian assistance, and human resource development. The ARF focuses on South-South and triangular co-operation projects with African countries, notably Southern African Development Community members. It also provides loans and other financial assistance. South Africa provides its bilateral development co-operation mainly through technical co‑operation.
South Africa holds the Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) from 1 December 2024 until 30 November 2025 under the theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability and advocates for a more substantial role of the G20 in support of the 2030 Agenda. South Africa co-chairs the International Forum on Total Official Support for Sustainable Development. South Africa also held the chairmanship of the African Union in 2020 when it prioritised peace and security; economic development; and continental integration through the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, infrastructure development to facilitate continental free trade, advancing the economic empowerment of women, and support for good governance and democracy.
This profile presents verified data on development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles.
The ARF was established by the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund Act, 2000 (Act 51 of 2000). The ARF is in the process of amending Act 51 of 2000 to create a new bill which will govern the establishment of the South African Development Partnership Agency.
South Africa’s development co-operation is guided by the ARF’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and Annual Performance Plan 2024-2025, which outlines seven key areas of focus that align with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These areas of focus include: 1) promotion of democracy and good governance; 2) prevention and resolution of conflict; 3) support to socio-economic development and integration; 4) provision of humanitarian assistance; 5) human resource development; 6) co-operation between South Africa and other countries, in particular African countries; and 7) effective management of resources through sound administration and good governance.
The Strategic Plan for 2025-2030 continues the focus on enhancing co-operation between South Africa and other countries, in particular African countries. It also focuses on the promotion of democracy and good governance, the prevention and resolution of conflicts, socio-economic development and integration, the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the provision of human resource development. South Africa understands that socio-economic development cannot take place without peace and stability, as these constitute the necessary conditions for development. Conversely, socio-economic development is necessary to address the root causes of conflict and instability.
South Africa is active in multilateral fora, where it helps advance development co-operation priorities. South Africa also promotes South-South and triangular co-operation through multilateral fora, such as the BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, the People’s Republic of China and South Africa); the Indian Ocean Rim Association; the India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) Forum; and the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. In addition, South Africa contributes to the IBSA Fund for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger, managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. The fund helps strengthen South-South and triangular co-operation through a steady flow of resources and has undertaken a range of projects in 21 partner countries. Since its inception in 2006, the IBSA Fund has disbursed USD 36 million in financial contributions.
Source: DIRCO, 2020, Strategic Plan 2020-2025, https://dirco.gov.za/2020-2025-strategic-plan/.
According to OECD estimates, South Africa’s bilateral international development co-operation reached a total of USD 31.8 million in 2023, a stable volume compared to USD 31.5 million in 2022.1
According to the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund, in financial year 2023/24, the ARF provided ZAR 139 million (USD 7.54 million) in local and foreign assistance to Africa, a major increase compared to the previous year (ZAR 34.3 million in financial year 2022/23) mainly due to more project proposals being received during the financial year than initially anticipated.2 The ARF’s support focused on key areas including socio-economic development, the prevention and resolution of conflict, humanitarian assistance, and the promotion of democracy and good governance.
South Africa engages in triangular co-operation, partnering with several Development Assistance Committee members, such as Canada, the European Commission, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, to support other African countries in areas such as governance, public security and post-conflict reconstruction. South Africa is a member of the Global Partnership Initiative on Effective Triangular Co-operation.
Learn more about triangular co-operation.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is responsible for strategy and foreign policy formulation, while line ministries are involved in the implementation of development co‑operation projects. The African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund is housed in DIRCO. The National Treasury co-ordinates incoming official development assistance and disburses funds for outgoing co-operation. DIRCO and National Treasury officials are on the ARF Advisory Committee. South Africa’s development co-operation structures may change when South Africa establishes a development co-operation agency under DIRCO.
Access the full list of providers at this link: Development Co-operation Profiles.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO): www.dirco.gov.za/legislative-and-other-mandates
DIRCO, African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund Act (Act 51 of 2000): https://dirco.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/African-Renaissance-Act.pdf
DIRCO, African Renaissance and International Co-operation Fund Strategic Plan 2020-2025 & Annual Performance Plan 2024-2025: https://dirco.gov.za/african-renaissance-and-international-cooperation-fund-arf-strategic-plan-2020-2025-and-annual-performance-plan-2024-2025
DIRCO, African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund 2023-2024 Annual Report: https://dirco.gov.za/2023-2024-annual-report-of-the-african-renaissance-and-international-cooperation-fund
DIRCO, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Annual Report 2023-24: https://dirco.gov.za/2023-2024-annual-report-department-of-international-relations-and-cooperation
DIRCO, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Annual Report 2022-23: dirco.gov.za/2022-2023-annual-report-of-the-department-of-international-relations-and-cooperation
South Africa is an Adherent to the OECD Recommendation of the Council for Development Co-operation Actors on Managing the Risk of Corruption and the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Learn more about OECD legal instruments and DAC Recommendations.
Since 2007, South Africa has been one of the OECD’s five Key Partners.
South Africa participated in the 2023 and 2025 DAC High-Level Meetings.
The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied.
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← 1. See DIRCO’s 2023-2024 Annual Report and 2022-2023 Annual Report. Figures for 2023 are averages for financial year 2023/24 and financial year 2022/23 due to the timing of the release of the reports and the fiscal years in South Africa.