Intra-African trade, as a
percentage of total trade on
the continent, has increased
from the 12% average recorded
in 2013 to 17% currently. South
Africa’s exports to the continent
have risen steadily to around
R70 billion per annum (recorded
in 2015) while its imports from
Africa are about half that, recorded
at R35 billion in 2015.
The Gauteng Growth and
Development Agency (GGDA)
released its report on trade and
foreign direct investment inflows
from South Africa to Africa
last month, pointing out that
although South Africa lacked
the “financial might” that the
continent’s biggest traders and
investors – the European Union,
the United States, India and China
– possessed, it did have other
advantages, such as a cultural and
historical affiliation as well as a
geographical proximity.
The GGDA report points out
that South Africa’s lower import
volumes from Africa are due to the
fact that there are weak levels of
manufacturing on the continent
and that when there is production,
many countries produce similar
types of goods.
