South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has formally invited Chinese healthcare manufacturer Mindray to accelerate medical technology investment in South Africa, emphasizing new opportunities in local assembly, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence integration.
During a working visit to the People’s Republic of China on Thursday, Mashatile toured the facilities of Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics. The guided tour highlighted the company’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) applications and cutting-edge medical devices currently deployed in primary healthcare services.
Addressing the company’s leadership, the Deputy President proposed that Mindray expand its regional footprint by establishing local manufacturing and assembly plants. He specifically welcomed dialogue on setting up regional service hubs and training centers within the country to localize medical technology production.
Mashatile positioned the nation as the ideal continental launchpad for the Chinese tech giant. He noted that by establishing a strategic base in the country, Mindray could efficiently serve broader healthcare markets across Africa. He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical mechanism, offering the company seamless access to one of the globe’s most rapidly expanding consumer bases for regional expansion and long-term growth.
The engagement underscores the deepening economic ties between the two nations. China currently stands as South Africa’s largest trading partner and a vital source of foreign direct investment, technology, and industrial collaboration.
Mashatile stressed that the administration’s objective extends beyond simple capital injection. The government seeks enduring partnerships across strategic sectors—including healthcare, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, digital technologies, and innovation. These collaborations are designed to foster industrialisation, facilitate technology transfer, advance skills development, and drive sustainable job creation.
To streamline market entry, the Deputy President directed Mindray to leverage InvestSA and its dedicated One Stop Shop facility. This centralized government service acts as a primary focal point for foreign investors, coordinating with various state departments to handle administrative processes, regulatory compliance, business registration, permitting, and licensing. He also extended an invitation for the company to attend the South African Investment Conference to explore these extensive prospects further.
Concluding the engagement, Mashatile praised Mindray’s existing proposals for digital health transformation and healthcare skills development, noting they align strongly with national priorities. He expressed strong interest in formalizing partnerships with local universities, hospitals, and research institutions. These collaborations aim to establish centers of excellence and specialized training facilities, ultimately boosting domestic healthcare capabilities and fostering cross-border knowledge exchange between the two countries.
