Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen began a four-day state visit to South Africa on 4 July, the first by an Austrian head of state to the country. He was received with full military honours at the Union Buildings in Pretoria before holding official talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa aimed at deepening political and economic ties. The leaders said they expect to sign two memoranda of understanding, including one on technical and vocational training. Ramaphosa noted that South Africa is already Austria’s largest trading partner in Africa, accounting for nearly a third of Austrian exports to the continent, and that more than 70 Austrian firms have a presence in South Africa. A bilateral business forum held alongside the visit sought to expand cooperation in industrial technology, pharmaceuticals and tourism. Clean-energy collaboration, particularly in renewable power and green hydrogen, dominated the agenda. Ramaphosa told delegates that South Africa is positioning itself as a green-hydrogen hub after hosting the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in June, where he projected global demand for the fuel to increase seven-fold by 2050. The Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance estimates the sector could support between two and four million jobs across its member states by mid-century. At a joint press conference the two presidents also rebutted claims from some Austrian opposition politicians that white South Africans face systematic human-rights abuses, calling such suggestions “absolute nonsense”. Both leaders said the focus of the visit was on expanding trade, investment and renewable-energy partnerships that would benefit both countries.