From July 8 to 10, 2025, Leading companies from St. Petersburg specializing in water supply, wastewater management, and environmental technologies are showcasing their latest developments at #IFAT Africa — the continent’s largest environmental exhibition — held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
St. Petersburg’s participation in IFAT Africa holds particular significance due to the sister-city relationship formed between St. Petersburg and Johannesburg in 2009. This partnership creates additional opportunities for professional dialogue and collaborative projects in the areas of water management and environmental technologies.
Following the official opening, a roundtable discussion titled “South Africa – Saint Petersburg (Russia) Economic Cooperation Dialogue” was held.
The roundtable brought together representatives from Russian and South African institutions in the water sector. The discussion covered export prospects for St. Petersburg companies, market entry conditions and formats, opportunities for localization and technological collaboration, as well as the development of direct business contacts and potential joint initiatives.
On the sidelines of the event the e signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Petersburg Export Support Center and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry took place.
Maria Ershova, General Director, St. Petersburg Export Support Center:
For Russia as a whole, and for St. Petersburg in particular, African countries are strategically important partners. At present, we are redirecting a significant number of services provided by our center to support export-oriented companies specifically toward this region. This is related both to logistics and to product certification, which is essential for the distribution of goods produced in St. Petersburg on the African market.
We have very ambitious plans. Next year, we aim to organize a large-scale reverse business mission and invite buyers from several African countries to St. Petersburg. There, we will be able to showcase not only the potential of St. Petersburg but, where possible, also the potential of other Russian regions.
#RussiaAfrica #IFAT Africa