The 2025 BRICS+ Agriculture Investment & Trade Summit concluded in Durban, South Africa. During the meeting, agreements totalling US$499.77 million were concluded.

The summit emphasised support for women's entrepreneurship, the development of cross-border partnerships and the introduction of advanced technologies in the agricultural sector in the states of the Global South.

"Women entrepreneurs and MSMEs are not the future; they are the present. The rise of Africa Inc begins with strengthening partnerships with BRICS+ in a world where our voices matter"

Lebogang Zulu Executive Chairperson of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (South Africa) and Vice President of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce

Chair of the South African part of the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, Vice President of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce

The meeting saw major contracts in agribusiness and infrastructure, including:

• US$456 million sugar export deal between South African and Brazilian companies;

• construction of a US$25,5 million sugar factory based on the Brazilian agro-model in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa;

• investments worth US$16,11 million in poultry production through a partnership with Zimbabwe;

• infrastructure projects (fertiliser production, solar energy, borehole drilling in South Africa) worth over US$5 million.

Zanele Ntuli, Head of Food Security Working Group of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance South Africa, in a conversation with TV BRICS, emphasised that joint work by the countries of the association would help overcome the existing challenges.

"BRICS states can really ensure food security in emerging markets because we have South Africa and Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent," she said.

On his part, Gugulethu Xaba, President of the Rural Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a commentary for the international media network, said BRICS as a multilateral association offers great opportunities for Africa, especially in the area of agriculture, and helps the continent become a key supplier of agro-products to the BRICS+ markets.

The summit also saw the launch of an agri-tech platform based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Developed by women from South Africa, it enables real-time deal verification, learning and connecting with investors and experts using smart glasses.

Other outcomes of the meeting included funding for 29 women startups, more than 120 hours of mentorship programme and five women executives receiving grants for business internships in India.

The summit was organised by the African Investors Council in partnership with the Expanded BRICS Women Foundation and supported by the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance. TV BRICS was the media partner of the event.

Photo: Njabulo Mzobe / 2025 BRICS+ Agriculture Investment & Trade Summit