Almost a month after India and the Southern African Customs Union agreed terms to negotiate a preferential trade agreement, Team South Africa brings the country’s investment case to the FICCI Conclave in New Delhi.
NEW DELHI, INDIA / JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Team South Africa arrives at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Conclave in New Delhi today with a sharper investment case than the country has carried in a decade — and a concrete framework to act on it. On 12 August, India and the Southern African Customs Union signed terms of reference to negotiate a preferential trade agreement, with talks targeted to conclude within a year. South Africa accounts for the overwhelming majority of India’s trade with that bloc, which makes today’s Conclave less a networking event than an early step in a live negotiation.
Hosted ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host in New Delhi from 12 to 13 September 2026, the Conclave brings together government, business and industry leaders from both countries to identify where trade, investment and long-term partnership can move fastest.
A different investment proposition
South Africa comes to Delhi with results rather than promises. Load shedding has effectively ended. The country exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October 2025. S&P Global upgraded South Africa’s sovereign rating to BB with a positive outlook — its first upgrade in more than sixteen years.
That record was on display ten months ago, when South Africa hosted Africa’s first G20 Summit.
A theme that fits the moment
India’s BRICS Chairship theme this year spells out the grouping itself: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Each element maps onto a South African priority. Resilience is what ending load shedding and exiting the grey list bought. Innovation and cooperation are what today’s panels exist to unlock. Sustainability runs through the country’s minerals-to-manufacturing and clean energy pipeline.
South Africa made history in 2010 as the first African country to join BRICS, taking its seat at the Sanya Summit in China the following year. Since the first BRIC summit in 2009, the grouping has grown into a year-round programme of political, economic and people-to-people cooperation — and South Africa has used its place in it to champion African priorities and open doors for African trade.
Showcasing the country brand
At the Conclave, Mr Bohani Shibambu, Board Trustee of Brand South Africa, delivers the South Africa Country Brand Introduction, including a short film on the country’s potential. His remarks are followed by Mr Yunus Hoosen, Head of Invest South Africa, on the case for investing in South Africa; a special address by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India; and a keynote from the Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Zuko Godlimpi.
A plenary panel — “India–South Africa Partnership: Digital Transformation Across Sectoral Synergies” — follows, with an open question-and-answer session for delegates.
Where the opportunities sit
The Conclave’s sessions point to four areas where Indian and South African business can move together in the near term:
Mining and energy — joint ventures and technology partnerships linking South Africa’s mineral resources, including critical minerals, to India’s growing energy and manufacturing demand.
Infrastructure and tourism — infrastructure development alongside a two-way expansion in travel between the two countries.
Agriculture and healthcare — food security, agro-processing and healthcare innovation built on shared expertise and investment.
Technology and skills — digital transformation and skills development as both economies invest in the industries of the future.
These sectors sit at the heart of South Africa’s BRICS strategy: using the grouping to expand trade, attract investment and build durable business partnerships across the major emerging economies, while broadening access to development finance through institutions such as the New Development Bank.
Team South Africa’s objectives at the 18th BRICS Summit
Connect — South Africa connects BRICS economies to Africa’s opportunities.
Invest — South Africa is a launchpad for investment and industrial growth.
Innovate — South Africa is developing solutions for a changing world.
Sustain — South Africa champions inclusive and sustainable development.
Partner — South Africa builds partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes.
Lead — South Africa brings a confident African voice to global decision-making.
Commenting ahead of the Conclave, Mr Bohani Shibambu, Board Trustee of Brand South Africa, said:
“South Africa is a different investment proposition today than it was three years ago. The lights are on, we are off the grey list, and we have had our first sovereign ratings upgrade in sixteen years. What we are bringing to Delhi is not a pitch — it is a set of results.”
“India is already South Africa’s largest trading partner in this region, and with a preferential trade agreement now under negotiation, the two countries have both the reason and the framework to trade far more with each other. We are here to make sure Indian business knows it.”
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, mandated to build the country’s brand reputation, improve its global competitiveness and promote its investment potential. Brand South Africa works with government, business and civil society to tell South Africa’s story with confidence and strengthen the country’s position globally. Visit brandsouthafrica.com.
Media enquiries
Ms Phindile Mathebula
Communications Officer: International, Brand South Africa
Tel: +27 64 890 7414 · Email: [email protected]
In New Delhi
Mr Tshepiso Malele
Acting Country Head: China, Brand South Africa
Tel: +27 83 477 4244 · Email: [email protected]
Media Images
Bohani Shibambu
Board Trustee, Brand South Africa
Bohani Shibambu, Board Trustee of Brand South Africa, at the FICCI Conclave in New Delhi.
Photo: Brand South Africa
Yunus Hoosen
Head of Invest South Africa
Yunus Hoosen, Head of Invest South Africa, at the FICCI Conclave in New Delhi.
Photo: Brand South Africa
AV Material
South Africa: Bringing the world together
