India Eyes Mining, Infrastructure Growth in South Africa

24 Sep 2025 CW Team

The South African government’s easing of mining regulations and privatisation of infrastructure presents significant opportunities for Indian businesses, according to Nitin Agrawal, Group Chairman of Oza Holdings, which has interests in mining and manufacturing.

Agrawal addressed 36 business leaders from the NPO Young Indians, part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), during a delegation visit to South Africa under the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance. Indian Consul General in Johannesburg, Mahesh Kumar, facilitated interactions with local business leaders, government officials, and business school representatives.

Highlighting South Africa’s well-established mineral reserves and developed infrastructure, Agrawal said Indian firms can benefit from easier access to mining licences and improved regulatory frameworks. He noted the government’s focus on upgrading rail and port operations, which is expected to enhance mining competitiveness in 2026.

The privatisation programme and push for local beneficiation of minerals offer further prospects for Indian businesses, particularly in value-added products, ferro alloy production, mining machinery, and ancillary sectors. Agrawal emphasised that Indian companies’ agility positions them to thrive in challenging markets, citing successes in pharma, IT, mining, and secondary steel industries.

Despite challenges such as power shortages and limited water resources, Indian expertise in skills transfer and manufacturing can strengthen South Africa’s workforce and infrastructure. Initiatives like diamond cutting and polishing units in industrial development zones demonstrate the potential for collaboration in beneficiation, employment generation, and local manufacturing.

Consul General Kumar encouraged Indian companies to propose solutions benefiting South Africa and the broader southern African region, reinforcing the growing India–South Africa partnership in mining and infrastructure investment.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..