President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New Delhi, India, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, where South Africa is expected to push for increased trade and investment, industrialisation and greater investment in African infrastructure.
Ramaphosa arrived in the Indian capital on Friday morning for the summit, which will take place from 12 to 13 September at the Bharat Mandapam under India’s chairship.
The summit is being held under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”.
It will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, as well as outreach invitees.
Ramaphosa’s first major engagement will be at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday afternoon, where he will focus on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.
The forum brings together BRICS leaders, business representatives, members of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, investors and entrepreneurs from BRICS countries and partner economies.
The Presidency said the forum plays an important role in shaping the BRICS economic agenda and strengthening business-to-business cooperation.
On Saturday, Ramaphosa will address the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, which will focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and India.
The engagement will also seek to encourage additional Indian foreign direct investment in key sectors in South Africa, including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals and the electric vehicle battery value chain.
Ramaphosa will later participate in a closed session of BRICS leaders focused on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
The session will consider proposals for a more inclusive, representative and responsive global governance architecture.
Discussions will focus on reform of the United Nations system, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa will address the open session of BRICS and invited leaders under the theme: “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”.
His address will focus on the priorities of India’s BRICS chairship.
South Africa will use the summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, particularly expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment.
The country will also promote industrialisation and value addition, while seeking to mobilise investment in African infrastructure aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The President is also scheduled to visit the Bharat Innovates & BRICS @20 Exhibition with other leaders.
The exhibition will showcase innovation, technology and key achievements of BRICS cooperation.
Ramaphosa will also participate in a joint tree-planting ceremony during the summit.
His programme includes bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, as well as engagements with business leaders and captains of industry.
The President is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi.
The BRICS Business Forum is scheduled for Friday from 17:00 to 18:00 GMT.
The India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable will take place on Saturday at 11:15 GMT, followed by the open session for BRICS and invited leaders on Sunday at 10:15 GMT.
Selected BRICS meetings will be livestreamed through the BRICS 2026 India and Indian Ministry of External Affairs YouTube channels.
