South Africa and India are prepared to open a new chapter in economic relations centred on investment, trade, industrial development and sustainable growth, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday, urging companies from both countries to convert policy talks into concrete projects and long term partnerships.
Addressing the South Africa India Roundtable on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Ramaphosa said the two nations could draw on complementary strengths to create shared value, expand regional trade and create opportunities for young people.
We are ready for a new era in economic relations between our two countries. This forum provides the private sector with an opportunity to transform policy dialogue into commercially viable projects and long-term partnerships.
He placed the discussions against a backdrop of rapid global change. Supply chains are being reconfigured, industrial policies rewritten and the energy transition accelerated, while digital technologies reshape industries and emerging markets drive growth. Success in this environment, he argued, requires partnership and shared ambition.
Ramaphosa highlighted five priority areas. The first is energy transition and green industrialisation. Both countries are pursuing ambitious energy shifts that open opportunities in renewable technologies, green hydrogen, critical minerals, battery value chains and sustainable manufacturing.
Companies like Vedanta have already established a footprint in the country. We believe that other large companies can anchor their investments in South Africa and use it as a base to export into Africa and the rest of the world.
A related priority is mining, critical minerals and beneficiation. South Africa’s mineral resources and India’s manufacturing capacity create a natural foundation for cooperation across critical mineral value chains. Pretoria remains committed to processing minerals where they are extracted.
There is great potential to partner on the production of new energy vehicles, batteries, and other products that draw on our respective capabilities.
Infrastructure and connectivity ranked third. Investment in transport, logistics, ports, digital networks, smart cities and industrial corridors is essential for trade and deeper integration across Africa, he said. Better infrastructure would enable companies to reach new markets and participate more effectively in regional and global value chains.
South Africa has identified 195 strategic integrated projects valued at more than $100 billion. Last month the government hosted the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium and reiterated the need for reliable energy, water, transport and digital systems. Authorities are prioritising project preparation so that plans become roads, rail corridors, renewable energy plants, transmission lines, water facilities and hospitals.
We have produced our third Construction Book, which provides a national overview of funded projects that are expected to be issued for tender in the next 18 months.
Agriculture offers a fourth area of collaboration. Joint work in agro processing, agricultural technology, food innovation and sustainable farming could strengthen supply chains, raise productivity and improve food security in both countries.
The digital economy and innovation form the fifth focus. Opportunities exist in fintech, digital trade, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and skills development. A concrete example already exists: Atain, an Indian headquartered global business services company, recently expanded its Cape Town operation and plans to increase its local workforce from 1,500 to more than 2,000 young South Africans.
Beyond individual sectors, Ramaphosa stressed the need for stronger human capital and institutional links. Partnerships between universities, research institutions, skills organisations and businesses would support innovation and prepare workforces for the future.
The strength of the partnership between our countries is not measured by the agreements we sign but by the impact we achieve. By working together, we can draw on our complementary resources and capabilities to create shared value.
The outcomes of the New Delhi forum, he concluded, must rest on actionable commitments backed by government facilitation and private-sector leadership.