Event report

Back To | 5th France–South Africa Business Forum brings business and government leaders together in Johannesburg

The 5th France–South Africa Business Forum brought French and South African business leaders, investors, government representatives and industry stakeholders together in Johannesburg on 29 September 2026 to examine opportunities for investment, trade and cooperation between the two countries.  

Organised by Business France, the French South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FSACCI), the French Embassy and the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF), it provided a platform for discussions on South Africa’s economic outlook, investment environment and role within the wider region. The programme combined high-level discussions with sector-focused roundtables, technical workshops, an Innovation Contest and targeted B2B meetings.  

The programme then shifted into sector-specific discussions covering finance and investment, water and sanitation, waste management, industry and economic sovereignty. These sessions considered practical challenges and opportunities, including investment flows between France and South Africa, infrastructure resilience, industrial development, automation and digitalisation.  

The afternoon segment focused on practical issues and solutions to the investment and business development challenges of both countries. Technical workshops addressed the investment environment,ports, rail and intelligent supply chains, skills development and job readiness and industrial decarbonisation. These discussions reflected the need to leverage economic competitiveness, strategic industrial infrastructure and skills development in technical fields. They also highlight the need to find equilibrium between environmental ambition and economic viability in the transition towards lower-carbon production.  

Innovation also formed part of the programme, with the first edition of the France-South Africa Innovation Contest providing a platform for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. During the competition, four South African and two French startups showcased their innovative solutions before a panel of judges from both countries' innovation ecosystems. Congratulations to the winners: SharkSafe Barrier (1st Prize), ArtFundi (2nd Prize), and Credipple (3rd Prize). At the prize-giving ceremony, the winners received more than R150,000 worth of prizes, generously sponsored by Air France, Forvis Mazars in South Africa, SoluGrowth, Standard Bank, and Strategy Reignited. 

The event also featured the attendance of prominent representatives from South Africa's public sector, including Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon. Maropene Ramokgopa; Minister of Basic Education, Hon. Siviwe Gwarube; Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Hon. John Steenhuisen; Deputy Minister of Water & Sanitation, Hon. David Mahlobo; as well as MEC of KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Martin Meyer. High profile private sector participants represented varying domains including the creative industries, finance & investment, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, transport, water, pharmaceuticals and technology.  

Beyond the formal programme, B2B meetings and networking sessions gave participants an opportunity to engage directly with potential partners and explore areas for future cooperation. A combination of strategic discussions and practical opportunities, therefore, allowed for businesses to develop relationships and identify areas for future collaboration.  

This 5th edition of the France–South Africa Business Forum highlighted the breadth of the economic relationship between the two countries and its continued advancement. The dialogue continues at the next major milestone in the bilateral business calendar: the South Africa–France Investment Conference, which will be held in Paris next year. We look forward to seeing you there!