South Africa continues to be viewed as a significant opportunity for Spanish industry, investment, and long-term commercial partnerships. This was the central message from South Africa’s Ambassador to Spain, Ms Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, during her visit to the South African exhibition stand on the final day of the Rail Live 2025 Expo in Madrid, Spain, on Friday, 28 November 2025.
The Ambassador said South Africa’s participation at major international industry platforms strengthens economic ties and opens new avenues for collaboration.
“Spain sees South Africa as a good opportunity. It is always very important for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and other departments to participate in exhibitions of this nature because they help profile our industries, while giving global audiences a clearer understanding of what South Africa can offer across different sectors,” she said.
The Ambassador highlighted the rapid growth of relations between the two countries, noting that trade and investment have expanded substantially over the past decade.
“Our bilateral relationship is very strong. In the last 10 years, it has quadrupled, and the evidence of that relationship is visible in South Africa. As of 2020 statistics show that we have 150 Spanish companies operating in our country, helping create 20,000 jobs and strengthening cooperation across various sectors,” she said.
Key areas driving this partnership include manufacturing, machinery, minerals and metals, textiles, agro-processing, agriculture, and tourism. In 2024, South Africa exported goods worth €1.35 billion to Spain, compared to €1.42 billion in imports, reflecting a healthy and mutually beneficial trade balance.
She also emphasised Spain’s importance in supporting South Africa’s just energy transition and renewable energy ambitions. She recalled the commitment made by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez during his 2022 visit to Pretoria.
“The Spanish President, Mr Pedro Sánchez, pledged €2.11 billion to support Spanish companies operating in South Africa, specifically to invest in energy transition and renewable energy projects. Spain’s renewable energy model has been adopted by many countries in the EU, making them a critical partner for us,” she explained.
South Africa stands to benefit from Spain’s PASE ( Country with a Strategic Sector Action Plan) an arrangement that allows companies which invest in South Africa to access preferential final resources. This is an additional arrangement to the €2.11billion announced during Presdient Sanchez’s visit to South Africa.
In addition, the Ambassador highlighted growing interest in cooperation in the ocean economy, maritime technologies, and digitalisation sectors by companies offering such expertise and advanced technology.
“We recently met companies providing advanced port-management and maritime-monitoring software. These solutions support our priorities in modernising the ocean economy and complement the work of existing partners such as Indra planning to be active in South Africa’s aviation and defence communication sectors,” she said.
Reflecting on broader engagements, including South Africa’s participation at the Ibero-African Business Forum in Tenerife, the Ambassador reaffirmed the value of continued collaboration.
“These engagements help us promote commercial activity, deepen trade, and ensure mutual growth. Spain is a key partner, and we must continue working to expand opportunities for South African companies while maintaining balanced, sustainable trade,” she said.
South Africa’s participation at Rail Live 2025 forms part of the dtic’s ongoing commitment to supporting export-ready firms, strengthening industrial capability, and expanding the country’s global economic footprint.
From left:, The African Rail Industry Association CEO, Ms Mesela Nhlapo, South Africa’s Ambassador to Spain, Ms Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, and the dtic official, Ms Hloniphile Nkiwane at the South Africa stand during the concluding day of Rail Live 2025 in Madrid.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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