Europe’s growing search for alternatives to Chinese-controlled mineral supply chains has brought South Africa to the centre of a new investment push, as the European Union launched its first-ever investment roadshow in the country.
Hosted at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the event marks the EU’s first major effort to mobilise private capital under the 2025 EU-South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, a framework designed to deepen economic ties while securing access to minerals critical for clean energy technologies, artificial intelligence, and defence industries.
But South Africa is making clear that access to its mineral wealth will come with conditions.
“Our objective is not to export raw minerals. Our objective is beneficiation, processing, and industrial development,” South African Trade Minister Parks Tau said.
The stance reflects a growing trend among resource-rich African countries seeking to capture more value from their natural resources instead of exporting unprocessed commodities.
