Addis Ababa, July 16 (ANI): South African President Jacob Zuma has congratulated Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on her election as head of the African Union Commission.

It means a lot for Africa... for the continent, unity and the empowerment of women - very important, Zuma said.

Dlamini-Zuma, 63, beat the incumbent, Jean Ping of Gabon, in a closely fought election over several rounds of voting, News24 reports.

Noureddine Mezni, a spokesperson for the outgoing chairperson, said Ping had acknowledged defeat.

He has accepted the results of the elections and wishes Madame Dlamini-Zuma the very best, the report quoted Mezni, as saying.

He expressed his readiness to co-operate with her to work together for the unity of the continent, he added.

Dlamini-Zuma, an experienced diplomat, is a veteran of the fight against apartheid.

A doctor by training, she has served as health, home and foreign minister. (ANI)