A Major French Investment Strengthening South Africa’s Agro‑Processing Sector

Last week, Business France in Southern Africa had the privilege of attending the groundbreaking ceremony for Soufflet Malt’s R2‑billion malting facility in Midvaal, a landmark investment that reinforces both France’s long-term commitment to South Africa and the strategic importance of the agro‑processing sector for the country’s economic growth.

Soufflet Malt — one of the world’s leading malt producers with 40 plants across 20 countries — is developing this new high‑tech facility alongside Heineken Beverages’ Sedibeng Brewery, following a commercial partnership signed in 2025. Once operational, the plant will supply 100% locally sourced barley and produce around 100,000 tonnes of malt annually, dramatically reducing reliance on imports and strengthening South Africa’s brewing value chain. 

This investment also speaks directly to South Africa’s industrial ambitions. According to official reports, the project is expected to create 55 permanent jobs, support 200–300 additional roles across agriculture and logistics, and stimulate new opportunities for farmers in multiple provinces. 

Beyond its industrial scale, the project stands out as a model of sustainable innovation. Soufflet’s Midvaal facility is set to become South Africa’s most technologically advanced malthouse, designed to produce 50% fewer emissions than the industry average through trigeneration and proximity-based conveyor transfers that replace road transport. For Gauteng, this investment supports ongoing efforts to position the province as a hub for agro-processing, local procurement, and high-impact foreign direct investment. The project enhances value chains, uplifts SMEs, and builds long‑term capacity for emerging farmers — reinforcing Gauteng’s reputation as one of the country’s best-managed municipalities and most strategic economic regions.

At Business France in Southern Africa, we are proud to support French companies like Soufflet Malt whose investments drive innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity. This milestone highlights France’s pivotal role in advancing South Africa’s agricultural transformation and creating resilient, future-ready industrial ecosystems.

A strong vote of confidence in South Africa.
A powerful example of France–South Africa collaboration.

We look forward to continuing our work to foster partnerships that bring lasting value to local communities, farmers, industries, and regional development.