Strategic Lens

South Africa and United Kingdom

First country

Continent

Country

Second country

Continent

Country

Category

In 2025, South Africa sold USD 5.41 billion of goods to United Kingdom and bought USD 1.54 billion from it. The DESTA database lists 4 trade agreements that include both countries, the most recent being Southern African Customs Union Mozambique (SACUM) UK (2021). Both are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 51 percent in 2023, and 56 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.

Benefits

BothTwo-way trade in mineral fuels and oils grew 159 percent, from USD 31.5 million in 2019 to USD 81.5 million in 2025.
BothTrade in electrical and electronic equipment runs both ways in similar amounts: South Africa sold USD 75.8 million and United Kingdom sold USD 108 million in 2025.
BothSouthern African Customs Union Mozambique (SACUM) UK, signed 2019 and in force since 2021.

Constraints

BothThe two countries' customs reports differ on goods sold by South Africa to United Kingdom in 2025: South Africa reports USD 5.41 billion and United Kingdom reports USD 21.0 billion.
BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 1.11 billion of agricultural and food products, against USD 195 million the other way.
BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, United Kingdom sold USD 69.1 million of pharmaceutical products, against USD 4.0 million the other way.

Sources: UN Comtrade (public preview API), annual goods trade, HS classification (retrieved 26 September 2026); DESTA: Design of Trade Agreements database, version 02_03 (retrieved 25 September 2026); Wikidata, statements on membership (property P463) (retrieved 26 September 2026); United Nations General Assembly voting data (Voeten, Strezhnev and Bailey), agreement scores (retrieved 25 September 2026)

Last updated on 26 September 2026

At a glance

Goods trade, both ways: USD 6.95 billion; 2025, as reported by South Africa
South Africa to United Kingdom: USD 5.41 billion; 2025, as reported by South Africa
United Kingdom to South Africa: USD 1.54 billion; 2025, as reported by South Africa

What connects South Africa and United Kingdom

Economy

Trade in goodsIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 5.41 billion of goods to United Kingdom and bought USD 1.54 billion from it.

Resources

EnergyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 27.3 million of mineral fuels and oils to United Kingdom and bought USD 54.2 million from it.Agriculture and foodIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 1.11 billion of agricultural and food products to United Kingdom and bought USD 195 million from it.

Industry

Supply chains and manufacturingIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 1.40 billion of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel to United Kingdom and bought USD 488 million from it.TechnologyIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 75.8 million of electrical and electronic equipment to United Kingdom and bought USD 108 million from it.Pharma and healthIn 2025, South Africa sold USD 4.0 million of pharmaceutical products to United Kingdom and bought USD 69.1 million from it.

Diplomacy

Agreements and treatiesThe DESTA database lists 4 trade agreements that include both countries, the most recent being Southern African Customs Union Mozambique (SACUM) UK (2021).Multilateral alignmentBoth are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 51 percent in 2023, and 56 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.Diaspora and mobilityIn 2024, 245 thousand people born in South Africa lived in United Kingdom, and 55 thousand people born in United Kingdom lived in South Africa.