BYD has expressed interest to work and invest in South Africa, according to Parks Tau, the trade, industry competition minister. "It's now about taking it to the next level," he said.
Tau pointed to South Africa's extensive car-production experience and its access to key resources such as lithium and manganese that are key to battery making. "We've got the minerals that are indispensable," he said.
Leaders from some 50 African countries gathered in Beijing this week for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or Focac, where there have been frequent calls for China to help industrialise African economies by increasing technology transfers and beefing up manufacturing.
Earlier this week, Tau accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa to BYD's Shenzhen headquarters, where they were personally greeted by founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu who sought to wow them with the company's advanced EV technology and car features.
"Chinese companies in Africa should continue to localise their operations, create more local jobs, train more local talent and further contribute to local people's well-being," Li said.
