South Africa and India are preparing to write an ambitious new chapter in their economic relationship. Speaking at the South Africa–India Roundtable in New Delhi on Saturday, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the two countries have a significant opportunity to deepen cooperation in investment, trade, exports, innovation, industrial development and sustainable growth.
“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,” the President told business leaders.
President Ramaphosa said the outcomes of the forum must be anchored in actionable commitments, supported by both government facilitation and private sector leadership. “By working together, we can draw on our complementary resources and capabilities to create shared value. We can empower our youth and uplift our communities,” he said.
Green energy and new industries
The President identified energy transition and green industrialisation as the first frontier of collaboration. Both countries are navigating ambitious energy transitions, and he pointed to opportunities in renewable energy technologies, green hydrogen, critical minerals, battery value chains and sustainable manufacturing.
Indian investment is already putting down roots. “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,” President Ramaphosa said.
Minerals beneficiated at home
The second promising area is mining, critical minerals and beneficiation. South Africa’s mineral wealth and India’s manufacturing capabilities, the President said, create the basis for cooperation across critical mineral value chains, with South Africa committed to beneficiating minerals where they are extracted. He highlighted the potential to partner on the production of new energy vehicles, batteries and other advanced products.
Building the corridors of trade
The third pillar is infrastructure and connectivity. Investment in transport, logistics, ports, digital connectivity, smart cities and industrial corridors, President Ramaphosa noted, is essential to trade and integration across the African continent, enabling businesses to access new markets and participate in regional and global value chains.
The Roundtable builds on momentum at home: last month South Africa hosted the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium, underscoring government’s drive to crowd investment into the infrastructure that powers growth.
With supply chains being reconfigured worldwide and emerging markets driving global growth, the message from New Delhi was confident and clear: South Africa is open for partnership, and two of the Global South’s most dynamic economies are ready to grow together. The President’s full remarks are available from SAnews.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Leave a Reply