EU launches first investment roadshow in South Africa targeting minerals

The EU has launched its first investment roadshow in South Africa focused on attracting investment into the country's critical minerals sector, highlighting Europe's push to secure supplies of materials needed for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Some 200 companies attended a European Union investment roadshow in South Africa ‌on Monday, vying for a slice of €12 billion ($13.98 billion) in investments the bloc has pledged amid global rivalry over critical minerals.

The EU's first investment roadshow, hosted at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, marks the first major attempt at mobilizing capital under the 2025 EU-South Africa Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.

In line with other African countries, South Africa wants to make moving higher up the value chain a condition of access to critical minerals needed for the energy transition, modern weapons and artificial intelligence.

EU building supply chains after curbs on Chinese exports:

China's restrictions on mineral exports with potential military applications have pushed Western nations to seek alternative supply chains across Africa.

David McAllister, chairman of the EU Parliament's foreign affairs committee, told Reuters in an interview that ‌with regards to critical minerals, the bloc has learned from its experiences in diversifying away from Russian energy supplies, on which many members were heavily dependent.

"The best way to decrease dependencies is to diversify, and South Africa plays an important role," he added.

Among deals already struck between the countries, a €600 million framework loan to the Development Bank of Southern Africa will deliver 1,200 megawatts of green energy and displace 3.6 million tons of CO2.

A separate €1.48 billion facility for state freight company Transnet—the first drawdown under a €1 billion EU-EIB The The Just Energy Transition pledge will modernize South Africa's port and rail network.

"We've moved from development thinking to investment thinking," said EU Ambassador Sandra Kramer.

The effort also follows the EU's announcement of major investment commitments in South Africa, including a €4.7 billion package unveiled in 2025 and broader Global Gateway financing aimed at energy transition, infrastructure, and industrial development projects.

The roadshow comes as competition intensifies among major economies to secure access to minerals such as manganese, platinum group metals, rare earths and other resources essential for batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and industrial supply chains.

South Africa is one of the world's most important mineral-producing countries, making it a strategic partner for Europe, and notably, the European Union is South Africa's largest trade and investment partner, with €46 billion in bilateral trade flows in 2025 and more than 1,700 European companies representing over 40% of foreign direct investment.

In addition the roadshow is expected to connect European investors, financial institutions, mining companies, and South African stakeholders to identify projects that can strengthen mineral supply chains while increasing local value addition and beneficiation.

"Our objective is not to export raw minerals," Trade Minister Parks Tau said in opening remarks at the event. "Our objective is beneficiation, processing, and industrial development."