Hyderabad: Telangana and South Africa on Wednesday agreed to explore partnership in skilled workforce development, medical tourism and investment.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy invited South African businesses to the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2026 in December and showcased Hyderabad's growing strength in healthcare, technology and infrastructure.
High level South African delegation meeting
The understanding was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting between the Chief Minister and the South African delegation led by Vice President Paul Mashatile.
Ministers D Sridhar Babu and C Damodar Raja Narasimha and senior officials from both sides attended the meeting.
Hyderabad projected as talent hub
During the discussion, CM Revanth highlighted the emergence of Hyderabad as a leading knowledge and innovation hub supported by a strong educational ecosystem and advanced skill development infrastructure.
He said the city has become a major source of engineering talent for sectors such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, defense and aerospace. He said Hyderabad is also attracting Global Competence Centers (GCC) of many Fortune 500 companies, strengthening its position as a preferred destination for global investment.
The Chief Minister said that Telangana is keen to cooperate with South Africa in education and workforce development, skills exchange and creating employment generation opportunities.
Focus on medical tourism
Highlighting the healthcare strengths of the state, CM Revanth said Hyderabad has earned a reputation as a major medical tourism destination, attracting patients from across India and abroad due to its advanced hospitals and cost-effective treatment options.
He said thousands of international patients, especially from the Middle East and Africa, come to Hyderabad every year for specialized health services. He said the government is working to further strengthen the city's healthcare ecosystem and expand its global reach.
Invitation for Global Summit 2026
The Chief Minister invited South African industrialists, entrepreneurs and policy makers to participate in the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2026 to be held in December this year.
Recalling the success of the previous summit, he said the event had attracted global business leaders, diplomats and investors, thereby generating significant economic opportunities for Telangana. He said the participation of South African companies could open new avenues of trade, investment and industrial partnerships.
Vice President Paul Mashatile responded positively to the invitation and said it would be an honor for him to attend the summit with the South African business delegation.
Bharat Future City showcased
The Chief Minister also briefed the delegation about Bharat Future City, the state's ambitious 30,000-acre greenfield urban development project planned near Hyderabad's international airport.
He said the project is being designed as a net-zero, globally benchmarked city with world-class infrastructure, sustainable development practices and a future-ready industrial ecosystem.
Minister wants deeper economic ties
IT and Industry Minister D Sridhar Babu invited South African industries to explore investment opportunities in Telangana, especially in technology, manufacturing and emerging sectors.
Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha highlighted Hyderabad's status as a global pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing hub. He said the state government is also developing mega hospitals to strengthen health services and support the growing medical tourism.
South Africa provides a gateway to the continent
Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Paul Mashatile said India and South Africa share deep historical and cultural ties and have immense potential to expand economic cooperation.
He said South Africa could serve as a gateway for Indian companies seeking access to markets on the African continent through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He also encouraged Indian pharmaceutical companies to explore opportunities to set up operations in South Africa.
The South African delegation included senior ministers and officials handling health, international relations, science and technology, communications and small business development.
Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, IAS and several senior officials of Telangana government were also present during the meeting.