Experts: infrastructure, energy and agriculture – priorities for Russia–South Africa cooperation

Elias Monage, President of the Black Business Council and Chairman of the South African side of the Russia-South Africa Business Council, has highlighted rail infrastructure, energy, agriculture and industrial manufacturing as the most promising areas for Russia-South Africa cooperation.

He stated in an exclusive interview at the TV BRICS studio in the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum ( SPIEF) that rail modernisation is a strategic priority for both countries.

“The first is rail infrastructure. Rail is an important sector for both South Africa and Russia because, across the continent and particularly in South Africa, we are looking at the refurbishment of rail infrastructure from Cape to Cairo. […] Russian expertise can be brought into South Africa and, by extension, the African continent, allowing us to establish partnerships to rebuild rail infrastructure,” Monage said.

Photo: TV BRICS

He noted that practical cooperation is already underway, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model aimed at rebuilding rail infrastructure in South Africa.

Energy cooperation, particularly in nuclear power and coal-fired generation modernisation, was identified as another key area. Monage recalled earlier agreements between the two countries on nuclear cooperation and said South Africa is now reassessing international partners for its nuclear redevelopment programme.

“The South African government decided to launch a tender process to identify countries that could participate in rebuilding the nuclear sector, with Russia, China and other countries among those being considered,” he said, adding that Russian energy companies could play a stronger role in engagement with South African authorities.

Agriculture also remains an important two-way trade area, with growing exports of fertilisers from Russia and ongoing cooperation in fruit and poultry supply chains.

At the same time, Pavel Yakovlev, Chairman of the Russian Chapter of the Russia–South Africa Business Council, underlined that cooperation is increasingly moving towards high-tech industrial integration.

He highlighted machinery, energy engineering and IT as key growth areas.

“There are broad opportunities for cooperation in mechanical engineering. This includes not only automobiles but also energy machinery and railway engineering,” Yakovlev said, noting ongoing work on joint product development between Russian and South African partners.

Photo: TV BRICS

He added that improving financial infrastructure and expanding settlements in national currencies are essential for unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade.

“BRICS should become a single economic space. We need to eliminate barriers linked to currency conversion and develop direct payment mechanisms,” Yakovlev stated, pointing to existing models between other BRICS members as examples.

Experts highlighted that strengthening financial connectivity, improving transport links and expanding direct cooperation could significantly accelerate Russia–South Africa economic ties within the BRICS framework.