India Could Become Potential Partner in Infra Development in South Africa: Counsul General

Several Indian companies have a proven track record in rail network, port modernisation and power systems, and the country could become a partner in the development of infrastructure projects in South Africa, India's Consul General in Johannesburg, S Koventhan, said on Wednesday.

Companies that participated in a two-day Africa Rail Expo expressed optimism about getting business as South Africa embarks on a major revamp of its rail infrastructure.

The event that concluded on Wednesday saw participation from six small businesses in the sector, led by Pallavi Saha, Joint Director at the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), as well as several multinational firms based in India.

The participants engaged with local industry representatives and agreed to have follow-up meetings.

"India could become a potential partner in the infrastructural development of South Africa, with Indian companies having a proven track record in rail infrastructure, port modernisation, engineering services, power systems and project execution," Koventhan told exhibitors at the event.

"The participation of these Indian companies at Africa Rail 2026 is a testimony to the robust commercial ties that exist between the two countries, and such participation will certainly pave the way for further collaborations in areas of transport, logistics and infrastructure.

"As South Africa is keen to modernise its rail and logistics ecosystem, Indian companies can offer affordable, reliable and sustainable solutions backed by rich experience in handling large-scale infrastructure projects," Koventhan added.

Saha said that South Africa is one of India's top markets for engineering exports, and this prompted the EEPC to showcase its expertise at Africa Rail.

"Our exports to the South African market are growing, and EEPC is also doing a lot of work in the railway sector. The response has been very good for the SMMEs that we have brought here as they try to get a foothold in South Africa to see the business opportunities here," said one of the exhibitors.

“The railway sector in India is moving very well, moving towards 100 per cent electrification and new concepts such as bullet trains and Vande Bharat," Saha said, adding that the stringent certification requirement in India would also benefit exports into Africa.

"We are also hoping that through South Africa, we can get a good foothold into the African continent," she said.

An agreement was signed at the expo between Zeromec of South Africa and Premnath Rail, one of India’s leading railway construction and management companies.

"Now is the time where our machines are really able to help them in almost everything that they want to do because we have a particular product for each particular job," said Vipin Arora, Chairman and CEO of Premnath Rail.

"We have the capabilities of design and development that we can manufacture as per their requirements," Arora said, adding that if quantities justified it, his company would consider opening a manufacturing plant in South Africa.

Gabriel Matli, managing Director of Zeromec, a rail maintenance company in South Africa, said an arrangement with Premnath Rail would help the company improve its range of equipment.

"Once we have enough equipment and support from a partner like Premnath, we are more likely to actually scale up and gain new contracts as we step up into other countries in Africa," Matli said.

Among other companies at the expo was Permali Wallace from Bhopal.

"We have supplied to (neighbouring) countries such as Zambia and a few others, and are now hoping to also supply South Africa with non-metallic materials which are placed on tracks for insulation," said Mihir Merchant from Permali.

Gabin Kattukaran of Mechelonic Engineers said his company was the only manufacturer of rail welding machines in India.

"We are definitely optimistic about the opportunities in South Africa because there is some enthusiasm for the rail networks here, so they will require our systems, maybe not immediately, but in the years to come," Kattukaran said.

Other Indian companies that expressed optimism about doing business in South Africa included Vishwas Power from Nagpur, Kaptronics from Bengaluru and Venus Wires from Mumbai