TRADE BETWEEN West Africa and South Africa is showing significant growth with airfreight cargo to some destinations having doubled in recent months. Max Mariotti, g.m. of Aviation GSA International (PTY) Ltd, which is active on the routes, said cargo to Accra, Ghana, had increased from 30 tons a month to more than 60 tonnes in the last four months. The cargo is mainly manufactured goods, machinery and spares, with the mining industry playing a major role. Perishable cargo from South Africa to Libreville, had also recently increased from 50 or 60 tonnes to 90 tonnes in recent months. Mariotti said that where European countries had traditionally enjoyed the upper hand in West Africa, the situation was now changing. This change, however, mainly represented raw produce. Big scope for processed foods Manufactured food products had not made any inroads into the market due to most labelling being in English. The situation therefore represented enormous opportunities for canny local manufacturers. Mariotti attributes the increase in trade to greater contact between South Africa and West Africa after the latter's re-entry into world markets. Increased passenger loads due to increased business contacts, are also helping. West Africa has traditionally made extensive use of sea freight, but new reliable airfrieght connections, particularly with wide-bodied aircraft to Abidjan, Cotonou, Conarky, Lagos, Pointe Noire, and Luanda are ringing the changes.
