Kuwait (State of)

Kuwait (State of)

History of Relations

South Africa and Kuwait concluded diplomatic relations in 1995. Kuwait opened an Embassy in Pretoria in 1996 and South Africa reciprocated in 1998. South Africa is represented in Kuwait City by Ambassador Ashraf Suliman and Kuwait in Pretoria by Ambassador Salem Al-Zamanan.

In July 2000, South Africa and Kuwait signed an MOU on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations. Meetings in terms of this MOU have thus far been co-chaired by South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and by Mr Khaled Al-Jarallah, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait.

South Africa and Kuwait maintain good political relations and there are no major issues of dispute between the two countries. In 2003, South Africa’s opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq was incorrectly perceived by Kuwait as a pro-Saddam Hussain stance, but their concerns were successfully addressed during visits to Kuwait by Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad in June 2003 and February 2004.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Kuwait

H E Dr M P Genge
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

Kuwaiti Representation in South Africa

H E Mr A M Y Aladsani
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Kuwaiti Embassy

Travel Info

Visa requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Embassy of Kuwait in Pretoria.

Health requirements

There are no specific health requirements for travellers from South Africa.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Kuwait is very hot during summer with temperatures sometimes in excess of 50C. Winter months from December to March are moderate.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit is the Kuwaiti Dinar, divided into 1,000 Fils. The symbol for the Dinar is KD. The currency is freely convertible.

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

Over recent years, several high-level visits have been exchanged, most notably by former President Nelson Mandela to Kuwait. The Ministers of Defence have exchanged visits, while South Africa’s Minister of Public Enterprises and Chief of the SA National Defence Force also visited Kuwait. Relations were further consolidated when Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma visited Kuwait in December 2004. She has since invited her Kuwaiti counterpart, Shaikh Mohamed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, to visit South Africa, but the dates for this visit must still be determined.

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

South Africa ’s main exports to Kuwait are base metals, chemicals, machinery and mechanical appliances. Kuwait’s main exports to South Africa are crude oil, chemical and plastic products.

For current and past trade statistics between South Africa and Kuwait, visit the websites of the South African Revenue Service, or the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

Kuwait hosts a sizeable South African expatriate community consisting of medical health professionals and other professions.