South Africa to Capitalize on AfCFTA for Regional Growth

South Africa is poised to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive local business growth and enhance regional integration. This commitment was emphasized by Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Director (Southern Africa) at Afreximbank, during the IATF2025 South Africa Business Roadshow in Johannesburg, where he called for immediate action from both public and private sectors to seize the opportunities presented by the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025).



Scheduled for September 4–10, 2025, in Algiers, IATF2025 is expected to be a pivotal event, opening doors to unprecedented trade and investment opportunities across Africa. Nwugo highlighted SAs crucial role in African integration, citing its strong economic foundations and entrepreneurial spirit as key factors that position the country to integrate into African value chains.



Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, underscored the importance of IATF2025 in the context of global instability, asserting that Africa has the potential to overcome challenges and accelerate industrial development. He stressed the need to cultivate regional value chains, particularly in sectors like automotive and agribusiness, to foster inclusive growth.



Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, described South Africa's involvement in the AfCFTA as a historic opportunity to strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries. He noted that the AfCFTA could expand market access for South African goods and services while promoting job-rich growth.



The discussions at the Roadshow emphasized the vision for IATF2025 to serve as a strategic tool for policy and practical integration. Zikalala mentioned that through partnerships and public-private collaboration, Africa could develop world-class infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign currencies by trading in local currencies.



The event attracted over 350 business leaders, policymakers, and investors, focusing on strategies to enhance resilient supply chains and boost intra-African trade. According to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and UN COMTRADE, South Africa recorded merchandise exports worth $110.5 billion against imports of $113.2 billion in 2023, highlighting its deep integration into global markets.



Afreximbanks 2024 African Trade Report indicated that South Africa exported $29.6 billion to African partners while importing $9.6 billion, with intra-African exports constituting 26.8% of total exports. Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe from Afreximbank reiterated the organization's commitment to facilitating seamless trade within Africa.



With projections of over 2,000 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors at IATF2025, the fair is set to generate $44 billion in trade and investment deals, offering South African businesses a significant opportunity to lead regional industrialization efforts. Algeria's Ambassador to South Africa, Ali Achoui, invited South African companies to participate, emphasizing Algeria’s economic resilience and commitment to facilitating access.