NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY WELCOMES SIGNING OF CHINA–SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT STRENGTHENING THE EASTERN CAPE AUTOMOTIVE ECONOMY
Published: February 09, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality welcomes the signing of the China–South Africa Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity, a landmark bilateral agreement signed in February 2026 by South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Minister Parks Tau, and China’s Minister of Commerce, Minister Wang Wentao. The agreement represents a major step forward in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and directly reinforces the Nelson Mandela Bay and Eastern Cape’s position as the premier automotive manufacturing hub of South Africa.
For Nelson Mandela Bay, the agreement signals renewed international confidence in the region’s manufacturing capability and its strategic role in global automotive value chains. The metro remains home to world class vehicle assembly plants, advanced component manufacturers, and logistics infrastructure that collectively anchor thousands of jobs across the Eastern Cape. Expanded trade access and industrial collaboration will support investment attraction, deepen localisation of automotive supply chains, and strengthen export competitiveness for locally produced vehicles and components.
The agreement also prioritises skills transfer, industrial technology cooperation, and workforce readiness, ensuring that manufacturing growth is matched by human capital development. This is particularly significant for the Bay, where partnerships between industry, universities, and technical training institutions are essential to preparing young people for advanced manufacturing, electric mobility, and next generation engineering.
Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe said the agreement is fundamentally about protecting livelihoods and building future industrial capacity. "This partnership is about preserving and growing manufacturing jobs that sustain families across Nelson Mandela Bay. It is equally about ensuring that our workforce has the right skills and training to compete in a rapidly evolving global automotive industry. We are committed to working with all spheres of government and industry to translate this agreement into real factories, real opportunities, and real careers for our people.”
The Municipality will collaborate with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, automotive manufacturers, organised labour, and education partners to ensure the agreement delivers measurable local outcomes. Priority areas include job retention, supplier development, industrial expansion, and technical skills upgrading that keeps the Nelson Mandela Bay and Eastern Cape globally competitive.
This agreement strengthens Nelson Mandela Bay’s identity as an industrial city that builds, exports, and innovates. It marks a practical step toward inclusive growth that protects the region’s manufacturing base while positioning the Eastern Cape at the forefront of South Africa’s automotive future.
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