Event report

Back To | 3rd edition of the Southern Africa & Indian Ocean – France Business Seminar: driving Trade and Investment 15-16 October 2024

Unlocking New Business Opportunities Between France and Southern Africa.

The 3rd edition of the Southern Africa & Indian Ocean – France Business Seminar, hosted by the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) in partnership with Business France South Africa & Southern Africa, 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 C 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.

SEE PHOTOS FROM THE FORUM >> HERE <<

About Business France:

Business France, a national agency serving the internationalization of the French economy, promotes the growth of exports, increases partnerships between French and Sub-Saharan companies, facilitates the implementation of investment projects by foreign companies in France and manages the VIE programme – International Volunteering in Business.

About the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry “FSACCI” Established in 1979, the FSACCI is a South African non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and facilitating business relations between French and South African companies, thereby fostering economic growth and collaboration. Serving as a vital bridge for companies operating in South Africa, our mission is to support and promote bilateral trade and investment and offer a platform for knowledge exchange and business development. Our activities include stakeholder engagements, organizing a wide range of events such as business forums, seminars, and networking sessions, as well as communicating on behalf of our members and providing various business services.

About the Foreign Trade Advisors of France “CCE”

For more than 120 years, the Foreign Trade Advisors of France (CCE) have been part of a global network of 4,500 experts in the international domain promoting France’s development. Present in every region of France and in more than 150 countries, these business representatives voluntarily share their expertise to develop economic and commercial relationships between France and their host countries. They carry out concrete actions in partnership with public and private players. Appointed by the Prime Minister, CCEs are vested with four missions: advising public authorities, supporting businesses, training young people for the international stage, and promoting the attractiveness of France.

About MEDEF international

MEDEF International is a non-profit private-funded organization, created in 1989 by MEDEF, the French Business Confederation. MEDEF International aims at promoting the French companies’ know-how abroad through collective actions. MEDEF International supports trade, technological cooperation and investments, long-term partnerships, especially on emerging and developing markets as well as reconstruction markets. It gathers every year about 7100 French companies already operating in the world, in 85 Business Councils headed by 55 CEOs of major international French companies.

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