The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has concluded its Outward Selling Mission (OSM) to Nigeria and Ghana.
The mission formed part of the dtic’s ongoing mandate to strengthen South Africa’s trade and investment footprint across the continent and to position local companies for opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Over the course of the weeklong selling mission held from 25-30 August, a delegation of South African companies, supported through the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme, participated in a structured programme that included trade and investment seminars, business-to-business engagements, and site visits in Lagos and Accra.
Reflecting on the mission, the Chief Director of Export Promotion at the dtic, Zanele Sanni, emphasised the value of the engagements.
“The Outward Selling Mission has provided South African businesses with important exposure to the Nigerian and Ghanaian markets,” said Sanni.
She said the platforms created in the week have allowed the delegation to introduce their products and services, explore areas of collaboration, and gain insights into the evolving trade and investment landscape in West Africa,” she said.
READ | Local companies to participate in outward selling mission to West Africa
The delegation concluded its programme in Ghana with a visit to the Dawa Industrial Zone, one of the country’s flagship industrialisation projects.
“The visit to Dawa Industrial Zone highlighted the scale of opportunities that exist for industrial cooperation. It underscored Ghana’s commitment to manufacturing and value-added production, which could present future partnership prospects for South African companies,” Sanni said.
She further stressed that while immediate outcomes will take time to materialise, the groundwork laid during the mission was an important step in strengthening South Africa’s trade relations in the region.
“As with all outward missions, the tangible results will become clearer in the coming months as participating companies build on the connections they have made. What is important is that we have taken deliberate steps to deepen our economic ties with two of West Africa’s most strategic partners, and that momentum will carry forward,” Sanni said.
The dtic, working in collaboration with the South African High Commissions in Nigeria and Ghana, will continue to provide follow-up support to participating companies to ensure that the engagements from this mission contribute towards sustainable trade and investment growth. – SAnews.gov.za
