South African President holds business engagement with Adani Group Chairman as Pretoria looks to deepen trade, investment and commercial cooperation with India.
NEW DELHI , GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit being hosted by India.
The meeting formed part of President Ramaphosa’s business engagements during his visit to India and came as South Africa seeks to strengthen economic and investment cooperation with India. The South African Presidency confirmed the engagement in New Delhi.
The interaction assumes significance as leaders of BRICS countries gather in the Indian capital for the September 12–13 summit. South Africa is among the key members of the expanded BRICS grouping, alongside India, China, Russia, Brazil and other emerging economies.
Focus on Trade and Investment
Ramaphosa’s engagement with Adani comes against South Africa’s broader push to attract investment and expand commercial partnerships. The meeting was reported as part of efforts to deepen India-South Africa trade and investment ties, particularly through greater participation by businesses and investors.
The meeting also highlights the growing importance of private-sector engagement alongside government-to-government relations. Indian companies have been increasingly exploring opportunities in African markets, while South Africa remains one of the continent’s major economies and an important partner for India.
BRICS Provides Wider Economic Platform
The Adani-Ramaphosa meeting took place as New Delhi hosts the 18th BRICS Summit amid discussions on trade, investment, economic cooperation and global governance.
The expanded BRICS grouping now includes 11 full members, representing a significant share of the world’s population and global economic activity. The summit agenda includes strengthening cooperation among emerging economies and advancing initiatives related to trade, innovation, supply chains and economic partnerships.
For India and South Africa, the BRICS platform provides an additional avenue to discuss economic cooperation while maintaining their longstanding bilateral relationship.
Strategic Importance
The meeting between Ramaphosa and Adani therefore carries significance beyond a single business interaction. It comes at a time when both countries are seeking greater economic opportunities and when BRICS is attempting to expand practical cooperation among its diverse members.
While the South African Presidency confirmed the meeting, specific details of the subjects discussed or any investment agreement arising from the interaction were not publicly disclosed.
The engagement nevertheless adds to the series of diplomatic and business meetings taking place in New Delhi around the BRICS Summit and underscores the role of major Indian businesses in strengthening commercial links with South Africa and the wider African market.
GTNS | NEW DELHI