India, South Africa-led SACU set to restart trade negotiations

11 Aug 2026 Evaluate

With an aim to strengthen bilateral trade, India and the five-member Southern African Customs Union (SACU) - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa - are likely to sign the terms of reference (ToRs) on August 12, 2026, to begin negotiations for a preferential trade agreement (PTA). On the sidelines of the BRICS trade and industry ministers’ meeting, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met South Africa’s Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau. Goyal said the two sides discussed signing the ToRs, concluding negotiations early, strengthening bilateral trade and exploring cooperation in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. In 2008, the two sides held negotiations for a proposed pact, but the talks were stuck due to market access issues.

South Africa is India’s largest trading partner in the group. Bilateral trade fell 13.55% to $15.56 billion in 2025-26 from $18 billion in 2024-25, with India recording a trade deficit of $1.55 billion. India’s key exports include vehicles and components, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals, textiles, rice, and gems and jewellery, while major imports include gold, coal, copper ore, phosphoric acid, manganese ore and aluminium. Trade with Botswana rose 21.26% to $614 million in 2025-26 from $506.33 million in 2024-25, with India recording a $278.94 million trade deficit. Diamonds remain the major commodity, while India sees export opportunities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tyres, agricultural equipment, digital technology and textiles.

Trade with Namibia increased 4.32% to $593 million in 2025-26 from $568.4 million in 2024-25, giving India a $105.24 million trade surplus. Mining, particularly uranium, diamonds, copper and phosphates, is a key area of mutual interest, alongside pharmaceuticals, IT, renewable energy and SMEs. Trade with Eswatini declined 54.6% to $23.69 million in 2025-26 from $52.18 million in 2024-25. Major Indian imports include iron and steel, oil and seeds, and fruits, while exports include pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastic and machinery. Trade with Lesotho fell 25% to $8.47 million in 2025-26 from $11.28 million in 2024-25. Major Indian imports include iron and steel, oil and seeds, and fruits, while exports include pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastic and machinery.

Create stable, long-term investment portfolio with strong, consistent stocks.

Start Research-backed Investing ...Now. Subscribe to Sapphire

About MoneyWorks4Me

MoneyWorks4Me is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (IA) dedicated to helping investors build long-term wealth through transparent, research-driven, conflict-free guidance. Founded in 2008, we started our journey as a Research Analyst (RA), providing deep fundamental analysis, intrinsic value insights, and long-term investing frameworks for Indian equities. In 2017, we transitioned to a full-fledged SEBI-registered Investment Adviser, strengthening our commitment to acting as a fiduciary—always putting the investor’s interest first.

Our Vision

To become India’s most trusted, research-powered fiduciary advisory platform—where every investor, regardless of experience, can make calm, confident, and well-reasoned investment decisions.

What Makes MoneyWorks4Me Different

Fiduciary-first advisory model.
As SEBI-registered IAs, we are legally and ethically bound to act in the best interests of our clients. We do not sell or distribute any financial products. This ensures our guidance is 100% unbiased and conflict-free.
Deep fundamental research + robust valuation discipline.
Built on more than 15 years of equity research, our framework combines quality assessment, intrinsic value estimation, and a sensible margin-of-safety approach.
Process—not predictions.
We don’t rely on guesswork or market timing. Instead, we focus on asset allocation, risk management, and long-term compounding.
Technology + Human Intelligence.
We believe a combination of both is essential for investing success. We constantly innovate and upgrade in-house tools, financial X-rays, and portfolio analytics so that our team of analysts and advisors are equipped with the best.
Partner with Clients.
We follow a DIWM (Do-It-With-Me) approach where we partner clients in setting goals, financial planning, educating on our investing process and share decision-enabling resources transparently with our clients who retain control on execution.

Our Approach: Ensuring compounding work its magic on client portfolio.

MoneyWorks4Me ensures this through:

Investing in stocks, mutual funds, debt, and gold
Quality-at-Reasonable-Price way of investing in stocks
Constructing Direct Stock Portfolios with Core, Booster, and Amplifier stocks
A Mutual Fund Portfolio that delivers consistent out-performance and meaningful diversification (low overlap)
Periodic review and rebalancing
Clear Buy-Sell-Hold, and Position-sizing frameworks

Name of the IA registered with SEBI:	The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.
Logo:
Trade/Brand Name of IA:	MoneyWorks4Me Investment Advisers
Brand Logo:
SEBI Registration Number:	INA000013323 Validity – May 16, 2019 – Perpetual
Registration:	Non-Individual
BSE Enlistment No:	1187
Address:	B-101, Signet Corner Building, Balewadi Phata, Baner, Pune, Maharashtra 411045

Compliance Officer Details:	Name: Shrikant Jagtap Email: shrikant.jagtap@moneyworks4me.com	Telephone: +919860359463 Address: Same as IA
Grievance Officer Details:	Name: Mukta Vaze Email: mukta.vaze@moneyworks4me.com	Telephone: +919860919463 Address: Same as IA
Principal Officer Details:	Name: Atharva Bhide Email: atharva.bhide@moneyworks4me.com	Telephone: +919175899463 Address: Same as IA
Standard Warning:	Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Disclaimer:	Registration granted by SEBI, enlistment with exchange and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.