South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has wrapped up his three-day official visit to Canada, where he participated in the G7 Leaders’ Outreach Summit held in the scenic Kananaskis region of Alberta.
The summit, which brought together world leaders to deliberate on global energy security, ended without the much-anticipated bilateral meeting between Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ramaphosa, who attended as President of the G20, was the only African head of state invited to the gathering.
According to the South African presidency, his presence at the summit was aimed at fostering strategic alignment between the G7 and G20 blocs, particularly in addressing shared energy challenges and promoting global development.
The Presidency further described the Outreach session as a platform “to explore leadership and collaboration in driving a comprehensive approach to energy security, raising issues resonating with both national and G20 interests.”
Speaking during the summit, President Ramaphosa urged G7 leaders to support the aspirations of the Global South. “The G7 should support the efforts of the Global South to create a fair, just and inclusive global order that would foster sustainable development for all,” he said.
He also lauded Canada’s commitment to Africa, describing the North American country’s Africa strategy as “comprehensive,” and noted the potential for deeper cooperation in areas that align with the African development agenda.
Despite efforts to secure a bilateral meeting with President Trump, one that was seen as a chance to reset diplomatic relations after a strained encounter earlier in the year, the meeting did not materialise.
Ramaphosa had floated the possibility of the talks ahead of the summit, especially after a controversial White House meeting in May during which Trump, without evidence, accused South Africa of committing a “genocide” against white citizens.
Trump, however, left the summit a day early, citing the urgent situation in the Middle East. His departure effectively ruled out any opportunity for dialogue with the South African leader.
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Commenting on the U.S. President’s early exit, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney clarified that it had nothing to do with summit proceedings. “There was no problem,” he said.
“Mr. Trump felt it was better to be in Washington, and I can understand that.”
Despite the missed opportunity with Washington, Ramaphosa used his time at the summit to solidify relations with Canada and engage with other G7 leaders.
The South African presidency noted that the visit strengthened diplomatic and economic ties between Pretoria and Ottawa, setting the stage for future cooperation on energy, trade, and inclusive development.
