South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe called on the 54 African nations to 'speak with one voice' when negotiating with the European Union, noting that continental unity is not merely a slogan but a 'strategic imperative'.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, has called for African nations, particularly Namibia, to prioritise the production of their own electricity to ensure energy independence.