Deputy President urges deeper South Africa–India industrial cooperation

Deputy President Paul Mashatile proposed a South Africa-India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme and three flagship outcomes to deepen industrial cooperation.

• Main announcement:Deputy President Paul Mashatile proposed the launch of a South Africa-India SMME Industrial Linkage Programme to be launched within the next year, the establishment of at least two joint technology or pharmaceutical manufacturing projects serving African markets, and the rollout of a South Africa-India Youth Technology Skills Programme targeting AI, digital services and advanced manufacturing.
• Background and implementation details: Priority sectors include agro-processing, mining beneficiation, renewable energy components, pharmaceuticals and digital services; the speech calls for investment in data centers, cloud infrastructure and fibre connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area, a shift from technology transfer to technology co-creation, and collaboration on AI ethics, governance and public trust.