3rd edition of the Business Seminar Southern Africa & Indian Ocean – 15-16 October 2024

Unlocking New Business Opportunities Between France and Southern Africa.

The 3rd edition of the Business Seminar Southern Africa & Indian Ocean, hosted by Business France South Africa & Southern Africa, in partnership with the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), the French Foreign Trade Advisors in South Africa and the Medefi took place on 15 and 16 October 2024 in Sandton, Johannesburg.

This two-day event brought together:

• over 600 participants,
• local government members,
• key local economic players such as Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Department of Trade Industry and Competition,
• 100 French entrepreneurs,
• a matchmaking sequence with over 200 B2B meetings, reinforcing the strong business ties between Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean (Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte & Reunion Island), and France.

The forum was formally opened by the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Malawi, and Lesotho, H.E. David Martinon, who emphasized South Africa’s vital role in the region. Ambassador David Martinon described the country as a “beacon of hope and opportunities” amid economic reform efforts, particularly under the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

He expressed confidence that these reforms would promote greater economic stability and create a more favorable environment for foreign investment. Highlighting South Africa’s legal and banking systems, he reaffirmed French companies’ recognition of the country as a stable market.

In a strong message to the international business community, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, declared the country “open for business” during the forum. Speaking via video link from Cape Town, Tau encouraged French businesses to seize the opportunity to invest in a nation defined by stable governance and a resilient democracy. “The ties between French companies and South Africa run deep, and we are aiming to strengthen those bonds with strong engagement with investors,” Tau stated, highlighting the potential for increased collaboration. Tau reinforced the government’s commitment to promoting inclusive growth, emphasizing a robust partnership with the private sector as a priority.

Small and Medium Business Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams also delivered a keynote address, outlining South Africa’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, underscoring the importance of strong partnerships in achieving this goal. The Minister expressed optimism about the future of the country’s small- and medium-enterprise (SME) sector, noting its potential to create significant employment opportunities. 

With South Africa aiming to generate 11 million new jobs by 2030—90% of which will stem from SMEs—Ndabeni-Abrahams highlighted the potential for growth in value-added services, which could foster job creation on a large scale.

The forum was designed to enhance collaboration between French, Southern African, and Indian Ocean companies, especially considering the growing demand for technological solutions and services across a variety of sectors. Acknowledging South Africa’s economic challenges—such as high unemployment and inequality, the event emphasized that continued foreign investment is crucial to overcoming these obstacles.

Ambassador Martinon specifically pointed to sectors like energy, water, manufacturing, and rail as key areas with significant opportunities for further French investment. 

Currently, over 400 French companies operate in South Africa, employing around 80,000 South Africans across industries. Major French firms such as Air Liquide, Alstom, Dassault Systèmes, TotalEnergies, and Engie have already established a strong presence in the country. Over the last four years, French investments have surpassed R100 billion, including substantial contributions to workforce training, upskilling, and local supplier development.