Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is in Cape Town at the start of a five-day visit to South Africa and Tanzania.
Mr Ahern will look at ways to develop Irish and South African bilateral and trade relations, while also visiting Irish funded development projects.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, and the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt, are accompanying the Taoiseach on the five-day trip.
It is the largest Irish trade mission to South Africa, with over 50 companies taking part, including businesses from Northern Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia will also be represented in an effort to develop the presence of Irish companies in South Africa.
In Cape Town, the Taoiseach will visit projects supported by Irish Aid and the Niall Mellon Township Trust.
During the trip, Mr Ahern will meet South African President Thabo Mbeki and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.
The focus of the visit to Tanzania is to see the tangible impact Irish Aid-funded projects are having on communities there.
Irish Aid will give €40m to Tanzania this year, while South Africa is to receive €17m Euro in Irish development funding.
