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The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) will lead an Outward Trade and Investment Mission (OTIM) to Ghana and Nigeria from 9-14 February 2020. About 40 companies operating in various sectors including agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; infrastructure; energy and mining.

The mission is organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to develop export markets for South African products and services. The mission will comprise of trade and investment seminars, business-to-business meetings and site visits that will take place in Accra and Lagos.

According to Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, the objective of the mission is to increase bilateral trade and investment between South Africa and the two West African countries.

“This mission provides an ideal platform to South African companies seeing to explore   trade and investment opportunities in Ghana and Nigeria. The mission is also part of South Africa's economic strategy for Africa, which is premised on the development integration approach focusing on advancing the priorities for Africa as set out in the country’s Re-imagined Industrialisation Strategy, and the Integrated National Export Strategy (INES).  It is also part of South Africa’s commitment to increasing intra-African trade and investment in line with the spirit and letter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” says Gina.                           

Trade between South Africa and Ghana increased considerably from almost R4 billion in 2014 to R13 billion in 2018. In respect of direct investments, over 180 projects by South African companies have been recorded with an investment value of over US$770 million. Sectors that South Africa has invested in include services, agriculture, building and construction, manufacturing and tourism. 

Total bilateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria decreased from the peak of R66 billion in 2014 to R56 billion in 2018. This is attributed to a reduction in trade of base metals, machinery and mechanical appliances including crude oil.

South Africa’s investment to Nigeria is made out of more than 100 companies whose total investment is worth more than R4-billion of capital expenditure and have created significant employment opportunities for Nigerian people.  

Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry