Information about the partnership
While being Germany’s most important African trading partner, South Africa offers significant economic potential with its rich resources and key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. The growing demand for sustainable solutions in areas like green tech, renewable energy, and smart farming presents strong opportunities for German companies. Partnering in Business with Germany actively supports business cooperations between SMEs from Germany and South Africa. The programme is an ideal platform for companies seeking enter the South African market, as it connects German companies with potential South African partners that have strong internationalization potential. Whether you’re looking for a business partner or seeking B2B collaborations, a reliable network in South Africa is key to long-term success.
Focus Areas and Cooperation Potentials of South Africa
South Africa’s holds considerable economic potential: the country has large resources of base metals, gold and coal, its own plant manufacturers and a well-established agricultural sector. Compared with other African countries, South Africa also has well-developed infrastructure. The country’s energy generation continues to be dominated by coal. Green technologies are being rolled out only slowly. There is intensive contact with Germany in the context of the national hydrogen strategy. South Africa continues to be Germany’s most important trading partner in Africa, with Germany mainly importing metals, ores, coal and agricultural products. German exports to South Africa are dominated by motorised vehicles and motorised vehicle parts, machinery and chemicals. For several years now, Germany has had a large trade deficit with South Africa.
Business in South Africa – Opportunities for German Companies
South Africa remains one of the most promising markets in the African continent, offering diverse entry points for German companies. Its well-developed infrastructure, strategic position, and dynamic private sector make it a strong base for regional expansion. There is rising demand for sustainable solutions in South Africa in sectors such as waste management, green economy, and smart farming. Companies offering innovative technologies in green tech and green business will find ample opportunities, particularly within the growing and public-private initiatives.
The agriculture, farming, and food sectors are key pillars of the South African economy, with a growing demand for innovative technological solutions as well. A major challenge for export-oriented companies is the ongoing logistics and supply chain bottlenecks, therefore partnerships in this area are especially promising.
Industry Focus and Participant Profiles
Partnering in Business with Germany is open to executives from all sectors. The largest group of executives taking part in the programme work in manufacturing and the services sector. The focus is on the areas of mechanical engineering, the food industry, the automotive industry, the healthcare sector, IT, the chemical industry and logistics. The level of interest in the field of renewable energy is growing. In the mining sector, there is demand for security technology and automation.
Since December 2023, programme alumni have been able to join the South African Association of Managers Forum (SAAMF).
News
Making cooperation concrete: how the Africa Business Network strengthens economic partnerships
The 21st Partner Meeting of the Africa Business Network (ABN) took place on 22 September 2025 at the Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Berlin and was more than just a networking event: it demonstrated how we can concretely design and systematically support the economic cooperation between Germany and Africa.
Innovative solutions for a sustainable South African economy
In late August, 45 South African executives who had taken part in the Partnering in Business with Germany programme met in Cape Town with representatives from business associations, the Consulate General in Cape Town, the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK South Africa), and Germany Trade & Invest. The focus was on promoting innovation and partnerships for a sustainable and digital future, and encouraging professional exchange and networking.
Conferences on cooperation with Africa in Kiel and Hanover
In June 2025, the Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH), the chambers of commerce in northern Germany and the Africa Business Network (GTAI) hosted networking events for local SMEs in Kiel and Hanover. Partnering in Business with Germany took the opportunity to make the programme better known in this region.
South Africa: the gateway to the African continent
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the importance of diversifying markets is growing – for both South Africa and Germany alike. Against this backdrop, the second meeting of the German-South African Steering Committee took place in Berlin on 11 June 2025, with a clear focus on deepening bilateral economic ties.
Meeting of Partners in the Africa Business Network: A Focus on North Africa
The 20th Meeting of Partners in the Africa Business Network took place at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on 19 March. The network is a Federal Government initiative to support German SMEs that wish to develop and expand their business in Africa. The Partnering in Business with Germany (PG) programme is one of the network partners that promote cooperation between Germany and Africa.
