Polish-South African Business Forum in Johannesburg
10.09.2026
The inaugural Polish-South African Business Forum took place in Johannesburg, organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) under the patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria. The event was attended by over 140 representatives from businesses, institutions, the investment community, and public administration from Poland, South Africa, and other countries in the region.
The forum served as a vital platform for exchanging experiences and establishing direct contacts between Polish and South African business communities. The initiative aligns with efforts to further strengthen economic ties between the two nations and expand the presence of Polish companies in the South African market.
The conference proceedings were officially opened by Jacek Chodorowicz, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Poland in South Africa, Juliusz Gojło, representing the Ministry of Development and Technology and a video message by John Steenhuisen, Deputy Minister at the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The Forum showcased the economic potential of both countries and opportunities to leverage their complementary strengths. Particular attention was paid to Poland’s role as a major European industrial, manufacturing, and technology hub, and to South Africa’s potential as a key market and economic center for the African continent.
The event featured panel discussions—"Cross-border transactions: the realities of doing business between Poland and South Africa" and "Key challenges and opportunities shaping the mining sector and energy transition globally, in Poland, and in South Africa"—attended by invited experts and representatives from various companies and institutions (including BGK, the Honorary Consul of South Africa in Katowice, and FTT Wolbrom). The discussion segment concluded with a lecture by the renowned South African economist Prof. Adrian Saville.
