South Africa’s main export trading partners are the European Union, the United States, Japan and China, with 26.3% of exports traded to fellow African countries. Almost 90% of South Africa’s exports to rest of Africa go to the SADC economies. In 2011, South Africa’s trade with the rest of Africa exceeded R220 billion (approx. USD30bn) which amounted to 17% of SA’s total trade with the world. This amounted to a ZAR40bn trade surplus for South Africa compared to a ZAR68bn deficit with Asia. South African exports to the rest of Africa are predominantly of value-added goods. The country’s investment stock in Africa has increased from R14.7 billion in 2001 to R121 billion in 2010, amounting to 21% of its total outward Foreign Direct Investment.
The Africa Trade part of exports is set to increase dramatically in the next few years as more export markets with African countries open up and more and more South African companies are opening offices in fellow African countries.
Coming soon: Resources and Information on boosting Africa Trade with South Africa