Johannesburg, 3 July 2026 — South Africa and Poland are poised to strengthen their economic ties, unlocking opportunities for inclusive growth, investment, and job creation. This was the message delivered by Mr. Yunus Hoosen, Head of Invest SA at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), during the South Africa–Poland Business Roundtable held in Johannesburg.  

The roundtable brought together business leaders from both nations to explore collaborations and forge durable partnerships. Sectoral discussions highlighted ways to expand trade and investment relationships, with Hoosen emphasizing the complementary strengths of the two economies.  

“By combining Poland’s technological capabilities and manufacturing expertise with South Africa’s natural resources, infrastructure programmes, market access, and industrial capabilities, significant opportunities for economic growth can be unlocked,” said Hoosen.  

Hoosen outlined several priority sectors where collaboration could flourish:  

– Renewable energy and advanced manufacturing 
– Innovation and R&D 
– Battery production and energy storage 
– Critical minerals and industrialisation 
– Agriculture and infrastructure development  

South Africa’s substantial infrastructure investment programme was highlighted as a major opportunity for international partnerships, particularly in energy generation, transmission, and grid expansion.  

Poland has emerged as a key partner for South Africa within the European Union. In 2025, Poland ranked as South Africa’s seventh‑largest EU trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching US$1.6 billion. Polish exports to South Africa include advanced machinery and manufactured products.South African companies are increasingly establishing a presence in Poland, while Polish firms explore opportunities in South Africa.  This two‑way investment relationship reflects growing confidence in both economies.  

Hoosen stressed that South Africa’s energy programme requires significant investment in generation capacity, transmission infrastructure, and energy storage solutions. He noted that Polish companies with expertise in engineering, technology, and manufacturing are well positioned to contribute to these projects. South Africa is also accelerating the rollout of renewable energy projects and exploring opportunities in gas and other energy technologies, opening doors for Polish innovation.