3rd edition
France is a major economic actor in Southern Africa (South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Maurice, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe). This destination presents numerous opportunities for French entrepreneurs.
Southern Africa matters, with South Africa and Angola, two local African powerhouses. It’s GDP, representing a third of Sub-Saharan Africa, should reach 4,4% in 2024, against 3% for the world growth. The demographic growth (220M inhabitants) is dynamic and accompanied by the growth of the middle class.
Following his re-election by parliament on June 14, 2024, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa presented his new government on Sunday June 30. The latter is made up of 32 ministries. For the first time in the country’s democratic history, the president appointed a Government of National Unity (GNU) composed of 10 political parties representing 71.75% of the 400 parliamentary seats.
The coalition government was welcomed by the business community who said it would ensure economic stability, in contrast to a potential deal with two radical parties which have split off from the ANC.
The access to the sub-region markets is facilitated by the settlement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which has an agreement (APE) with the European Union. In this context, our commercial trades with the sub-region, superior to EUR 2Mds, are growing at a surplus. South Africa, the number one economy on the African continent, together with G20 members and BRICS, is the first economic and commercial partner of France in Sub-Saharan Africa. Almost 5000 French companies export there annually, and 400 subsidiaries represent more than 65 000 direct employments.
The aim of the seminar is to attract more French companies to the region, with an already high success rate. Technological solutions and French services are appreciated and sought after in all sectors in the sub-region: agriculture / agri-food, energy transition, environment, infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, tech and tourism. At the same time, companies from the sub-continent, particularly South Africa and Madagascar, are investing significantly in France. This workshop, organized by Business France and its Team France Export, will feature a wealth of business meetings with French and Southern African entrepreneurs, as well as numerous qualified business appointments.
An event not to be missed!
Register now by clicking on the link above. The profiles are subject to team validation (French companies with Southern African subsidiaries must register using the link below):
E-Salon – Business Seminar Afrique australe – Océan indien – 2024 (businessfrance.fr).
Face-to-face seats are allocated as a priority to French companies with an export development project in southern Africa, and to African companies in the area looking for French partners.
TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER – SANDTON HOTEL – JOHANNESBURG
8H30 | Seminar opening , (key note address)
Presidency of the Republic or Minister (South Africa) / Participation of the French government
8H45 – 1st Panel | Presentation of the new South African economic policy and what will be its influence on Southern Africa?
10H15 | Coffee break
10H35 – 2nd | New general investment climate (co-financing, legal framework of PPPs, B-BBE and visa policy, SARS standards…)
13H00 | Lunch
14H00 – 3rd | New medium, long term energy and environmental strategy
15H30 | Coffee break
15H50 – 4th Panel | Logistics and transport, a challenge for Southern Africa
18H15 | Cocktail party
Temporary program, the timings and the content can change.
WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER – SANDTON HOTEL – JOHANNESBURG
8H30 – 5th Panel | Technical education, a break on the development of industry in South Africa
10H15 | Coffee Break
10H45 – 6th Panel | Assets of South Africa and France (agriculture, tourism, health): how to strenghten cooperation?
12H30 – Closing words
12H45 | Lunch
13H45 – 18H00 | Matchmaking
Temporary program, the timings and the content can change.
THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER – JOHANNESBURG
9H00 – 12H00 | Attractivity workshop (Choose France)
12H00 | Lunch
13H00 – 18H00 |One-to-one B2B meetings between the French delegation and companies from the Southern Africa – Indian Ocean region(meetings arranged in advance)
Temporary program, the timings and the content can change.
FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER – JOHANNESBURG
9H00 – 18H00 | One-to-one B2B meetings between the French delegation and companies from the Southern Africa – Indian Ocean region(meetings arranged in advance)
Site visits (organized according to the profile of the companies in the delegation)
Temporary program, the timings and the content can change.
Should you wish to sponsor and/or speak on this event, please contact us via the contact us tab, available offers by clicking on the image below.
Please note that participation is free for Southern African entities only.
Thank you for your interest.
5 Benmore RD, 2196 Johannesburg
@Sandton Hotel
5 Benmore Rd, Benmore Gardens, Sandton 2196
Phone number: +27 (0) 11 395 4777
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