In a significant development for bilateral trade, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, L. Brent Bozell III, has secured a major commitment from Harith General Partners, one of Africa’s premier infrastructure investment firms, to join the official South African delegation to the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Summit.
The announcement, made by the official U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, marks a strategic win for the Ambassador’s recently launched “Investment Accelerator” initiative. The Ambassador met with Harith founder Tshepo Mahloele to discuss expanding trade and investment opportunities, with Harith’s participation in the Washington D.C. summit serving as a tangible outcome.
The meeting and subsequent delegation spot indicates a warming of commercial diplomacy between Pretoria and Washington, following a period of strained political relations after the expulsion of South Africa’s previous ambassador to the U.S. in 2025.
A New Sheriff in Town: Ambassador Bozell
This diplomatic push is spearheaded by Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III, who officially presented his credentials to the South African government in late February 2026. Despite arriving during a period of tension between the two nations, Bozell has moved quickly to focus on economic bridges rather than political fires.
In March, Ambassador Bozell launched an “Investment Accelerator” to help South African businesses navigate the U.S. market, leveraging the “America First Investment Policy” to fast-track large-scale projects. The SelectUSA Summit, scheduled for May 3–6, 2026, is the flagship event for this strategy, connecting global investors with economic development organizations from all 50 U.S. states.
Who is Harith General Partners?
Harith is a heavyweight in Pan-African infrastructure. Founded in 2006, Harith has established itself as a leading private equity investor focused on energy, transport, and telecommunications.
The firm manages billions in assets, including the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF). Its portfolio is a “Who’s Who” of African critical assets, including significant stakes in Lanseria International Airport (Johannesburg’s secondary hub), power generation assets across five countries (including the Kelvin Power plant), and digital infrastructure giant CIVH (parent company of Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa).
The FlySafair Acquisition
Most recently, Harith made headlines with its aggressive move into the aviation sector. In early 2026, Harith General Partners entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to Harith Buys South Africa’s Largest Airline, South Africa’s leading low-cost carrier.
FlySafair currently controls over 60% of the South African domestic market and has been ranked the top on-time low-cost airline globally by Cirium five times. The acquisition, which is still subject to regulatory approvals, is being executed through a new subsidiary, Harith Aviation.
The deal is viewed as a strategic move to secure an integrated transport ecosystem for Harith. It also aims to resolve long-standing regulatory pressure regarding ownership structures, moving FlySafair’s control firmly into South African hands.
The Art of the Possible
Ambassador Bozell described the partnership as the “Art of the Possible in action.”
In bringing Harith into the U.S. fold, the Ambassador is courting a fund with deep pockets and a mandate for massive infrastructure spending. For Harith, joining the delegation opens doors to U.S. capital, technology, and potential partnerships in North America, while for the U.S., it secures a high-profile ally from the African private sector.
As the U.S. seeks to counter other global powers’ influence in Africa, deals like this—bringing South African capital to the U.S., rather than the other way around—represent a new, reciprocal chapter in the economic relationship.