Economic Relations

South Africa and Germany have a long history of bilateral cooperation. Germany is South Africa's second-largest supplier country behind China and the third-strongest consumer country. Vice versa, South Africa is an important trading partner for Germany and ranks 11th among the most important overseas partners, behind India and Brazil.

South Africa is Bavaria’s most important trading partner on the African continent. In 2021, Bavarian exports to South Africa amounted to 0,8 billion euros. This makes South Africa number one among the African countries in the Bavarian foreign trade. Bavarian imports from South Africa amounted to approximately 1,8 billion euros in 2021. 1,077 Bavarian companies currently maintain business relationships in South Africa.

In 2021, the bilateral trade volume between Germany and South Africa was 20.3 billion euros. German imports amounted to 8.0 billion euros – 44.7 percent more than in the previous year. The main export goods from Germany included motor vehicles and parts, machines, raw materials, non-ferrous metals and food. German exports in 2021 amounted to 8.0 billion euros.

About 600 German companies have branch offices located in South Africa and employ more than 90,000 employees. In addition to the established large German companies, many German medium-sized companies have also established themselves in the South African milieu.

Take a look at the current foreign trade figures Bavaria - South Africa.