Africa gets more quality-conscious

Africa is no longer the dumping ground for the world’s bad quality products. So says Stefan Sakoschek, executive group chairman of Global Inspections Group (GIG), a South African-based inspection company providing superintendence services traditionally performed by Europeanbased operators. “There is a definite emphasis on the quality of imports into Africa and we are no longer the world’s dumping ground.” With quality the order of the day, GIG has seen major expansion into Africa in recent years. Born and bred in South Africa, Sakoschek identified the opportunity of establishing an African-based inspection company. GIG initially saw growth into Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi in the early 2000s. Its footprint has since expanded to include Namibia, Mozambique and more recently East Africa after signing a major contract with the Kenyan government last year. “We are monitoring and inspecting consumer goods leaving various countries, including South Africa, en route to Kenya. We are also doing work in Tanzania while a country like Angola has seen big import of commodities by both road and sea. We have been very involved in inspecting building materials headed for the country.” This, says Sakoschek, is all proof of the opportunities in Africa. “And it is all about quality. Africa wants that certificate before they import and they are not just willing to take anything.” The quality imperative was demonstrated recently when contaminated milk powder was imported from the Far East, leading to the death of several African children. “Quality is very important and not just on the food product side. When it comes to minerals we are doing a lot of sample and analysis work, ensuring that what is leaving the continent is of the highest quality.” So much so that at the request of its international client base GIG launched a minerals division on October 1 this year specifically to sample and analyse minerals before issuing certificates of quality.