Yasmin Bilal
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for stronger cooperation between South Africa and India in technology, trade and investment, saying the two countries should move beyond discussions and focus on delivering tangible economic outcomes.
Mashatile was speaking at the South Africa-India Technology, Trade and Investment Roundtable during his working visit to India.
He said South Africa and India share a long history of cooperation rooted in common values and a commitment to the development of the Global South.
“The question before us today is therefore not whether South Africa and India should work together. The question is how decisively we move from dialogue to delivery,” Mashatile said.
He noted that trade between the two countries had grown from about $4 billion in 2005 to nearly $20 billion in 2024.
Mashatile said South Africa and India should focus on expanding cooperation in small business development, technology, investment and skills training.
“We will therefore work with GTTCI, the DTIC and SEDA to establish an SA-India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme, focused on supply chain integration, co-production and joint market access,” he said.
According to Mashatile, the programme will prioritise sectors such as agro-processing, mining beneficiation, renewable energy components, pharmaceuticals and digital services.
He also called for deeper collaboration in digital technologies.
“Together, we must shift from technology transfer to technology co-creation,” he said.
Mashatile said opportunities existed in fintech, health technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing and agricultural technology.
He added that South Africa welcomed Indian investment in data centres, cloud infrastructure and fibre connectivity to help strengthen Africa’s digital economy.
The Deputy President also highlighted the importance of industrial investment.
“India already has a strong investment footprint in South Africa. We now seek to deepen this through beneficiation-led and manufacturing-focused investment,” he said.
Mashatile said critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy technologies presented significant opportunities for growth.
He stressed that skills development would be essential to achieving industrialisation.
“We will therefore pursue an SA-India Skills and Innovation Exchange, anchored in university partnerships, youth technology programmes and vocational training aligned to industry demand,” he said.
Mashatile proposed three flagship initiatives to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
These include the launch of an SA-India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme within the next year and the establishment of at least two joint technology or pharmaceutical manufacturing projects serving African markets.
The third initiative is the rollout of an SA-India Youth Technology Skills Programme focused on artificial intelligence, digital services and advanced manufacturing.
“These initiatives will provide tangible platforms for partnership, investment and job creation,” he said.
Mashatile said technology and automation should be used to create opportunities and support inclusive economic growth.
“Let us act with ambition and urgency. Let us build industries that create jobs,” he said.