Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, ahead of the G20 summit to drive new opportunities for UK businesses. With more than £400 million in export deals on the table, the visit aims to boost jobs, skills, and economic growth at home while strengthening international partnerships.
UK-South Africa Business Deals Take Centre Stage
During the summit, the Prime Minister will witness Derby-built trains in action at a Johannesburg depot. He will also announce a major agreement between the UK and South Africa, enabling British expertise to assist in reforming South Africa’s rail system. Crossrail International, owned by the UK Government, will provide strategic consultancy services to attract private investment and enhance both freight and passenger rail opportunities.
Similarly, the UK has partnered with Vietnam to digitally transform its railways, leveraging UK expertise in delivering sustainable, high-tech rail networks. British Steel has also confirmed a £35m supply of materials to Türkiye’s high-speed rail network, complementing existing contracts worth similar amounts.
“Working with international partners to deliver jobs and opportunity at home is a one-way ticket to growth,” said Prime Minister Starmer. “The UK is a world leader in engineering, and we are committed to opening doors for British businesses worldwide.”
Expanding Trade: Air, Naval, and Beyond
The UK’s aerospace sector is seeing a major boost, with Rolls Royce supplying jet engines to Air Algerie, manufactured in Derby, safeguarding thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, the South African Navy will benefit from a UK defence contract, where Babcock will conduct deep maintenance of Type 209 submarines—the first such defence contract in South Africa.
Additionally, the UK and South Africa will streamline trade via an Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement, making cross-border business simpler, quicker, and more reliable. Almost 600 UK firms, including BMW and Chivas Brothers, along with 99 South African exporters, stand to benefit.
Financial and Educational Collaborations
Financial cooperation will expand as a Lloyds syndicate establishes underwriting capabilities in Johannesburg, diversifying insurance options for South African businesses. Key partnerships with Anglo American, Telkom, and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange will unlock investment, enhance economic inclusion, and create additional opportunities for UK companies.
In education, Pearson has exported £50m of services to Brazil, offering English language training, corporate education, and digital platforms—strengthening ties between the UK and global education markets.
The African Opportunity
Africa represents an unparalleled market for UK businesses, with 50% of the population under 20 and over a quarter of the world’s population expected to live on the continent by 2050. This G20 visit lays the groundwork for long-term business expansion in South Africa and sets the stage for further UK-South Africa trade agreements across the continent.
For British businesses, these initiatives highlight the value of the UK trade mission to South Africa, creating opportunities that extend from railways and aerospace to finance and education.
For business leaders traveling to explore these opportunities, planning trips efficiently is crucial—resources like Afrikeye Travel can help arrange logistics for meetings, site visits, and networking events across Africa.
Explore more about UK-South Africa partnerships:
This story was first reported by the Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street. Read the full article here.
