A new $35 million (roughly R635 million) investment partnership between Wucheng city in China and the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga is set to advance industrial development in South Africa. The collaboration will see the establishment of a solar panel assembly facility, expected to begin operations next year.
As reported by The Citizen, the project is seen as a critical step toward economic revitalization in Nkangala, a region that has suffered job losses due to the closure of multiple coal mines in recent years.
The partnership originated through a 2024 matchmaking initiative led by Africa Youth Entrepreneurs South Africa (Ayesa) in cooperation with Golden Bridge Expo South Africa. This initiative fostered strong ties between the two regions, ultimately resulting in Wucheng’s commitment to invest in Nkangala.
According to Imram Makama, Ayesa’s national head, the agreement was formed through a three-level approach involving cooperation between governments, municipalities, and private sector stakeholders. He noted that the total investment, including the plant and related training programs, is projected at $35 million over a three-year span.
Yavi Madurai, President of the African Prosperity Fund, spoke at the International Industrialisation & Machine Tools Southern Africa Trade Expo in Sandton and said the move highlights Africa’s growing appeal as a destination for global partnerships built on inclusive growth and local participation.
Makama pointed out that both Nkangala and Wucheng have similar economic profiles, with strong ties to mining, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. Although Nkangala remains the industrial hub of Mpumalanga, with more than 100 mines and several coal power stations, it is among the regions most affected by South Africa’s ongoing shift to cleaner energy.
“This sister-city partnership allows us to tackle shared challenges and explore sustainable industrial opportunities together,” Makama said.
