The United States wants to double the number of companies and employees in South Africa

US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, said that the United States wants to double the number of American companies and create another 250,000 jobs in the African country.

This ambition was laid out at the third BizNews Conference in Hermanus, where Bozell outlined where he sees relations between the United States and South Africa and how they can be repaired.

Bozell said US President Donald Trump wants South Africa to be non-aligned again and that the world’s most powerful man recognises the importance of the country.

Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in the last year as Trump has accused South Africa of persecuting its white minority, criticised its ties with Russia and China, imposed steep tariffs on its exports and cut all aid.

Bozell aims to repair these relations while ensuring that the United States’ relationship with South Africa serves the American people.

“My focus will be clear: to advance policies that benefit the American people, to expand commercial diplomacy, to deepen fair and reciprocal trade, and to engage South Africa candidly and respectfully about areas of disagreement,” Bozell told attendees.

“If we can align our shared interests around growth, opportunity, and security, then both nations will prosper. That is the partnership I hope to build.”

Bozell explained that he came to South Africa with a positive tone to lower the temperature of the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.

This informs his willingness to emphasise the areas in which South Africa and the United States have aligned interests, with them primarily being around economic growth and investment.

“By working constructively with policymakers to craft solutions that expand opportunity and encourage entrepreneurship, the business community can help build an economy,” Bozell said.

“That attracts investment, creates jobs, and delivers lasting prosperity for South Africans. If these conditions are in place, I believe South Africa can unlock an extraordinary level of economic dynamism.”

“South Africa has the talent, the infrastructure, the financial sophistication, and the entrepreneurial energy to be an even greater engine of growth for this continent.”

This ties in closely with Bozell’s aim to increase investment from American companies in South Africa, to further align the countries’ interests and drive economic prosperity in Africa.

“We are proud of the 500 US companies that are here. But, why not 1,000? We are pleased that we have created jobs for 250,000 South Africans, but we are not done. Why not double that? That is how Americans think. Nothing is beyond the pale for us,” Bozell said.

“We want partners who also dream great dreams, and that is South Africa’s signature. Let us all do our part to make our relationship prosper and thrive.