On 15 October 2025, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) advised that five (5) youth-owned enterprises participating in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Next Gen Exporter Incubation Programme were amongst the 130 South African exporters from various key sectors that are showcasing their high-quality, proudly South African products and services at an Export Expo taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, from 15 to 16 October 2025.
The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and Universities South Africa (USAf). The objective of the MoU is to foster collaboration in promoting entrepreneurship and export development among student and youth-owned businesses.
The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme is aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs with the exporting skills, resources, and support they require to become successful first-time exporters. The programme is part of the export development and readiness programme aimed at attracting new exporters to expand South Africa’s export capacity. The 12-month intervention targets youth-led enterprises with demonstrated export potential and supports them through a structured development journey. Their inclusion in the expo marks a significant step toward expanding their global footprint and promoting youth entrepreneurship on an international stage.
The director of Oumie’s Grande, a manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of fruits, vegetables, and condiments based in Venda, Limpopo, which employs four permanent employees, is showcasing at the Export Expo.
The founder of Rave About, which specialises in producing high-quality chilli sauces in a variety of flavours, Ms Prudence Maloka, says they have recently started exploring export opportunities for their products and are happy about her participation in the Export Expo.
As one of the selected candidates for the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme, the dtic expressed its enthusiasm for exploring new markets on the continent and expanding access to more stores nationwide.
The expo is hosted by the dtic with the objective of profiling South African exporters in key sectors and positioning South Africa’s value-added and high-growth sectors in key global markets. The exhibitors are from various sectors, including aerospace and defence, agro-processing, manufacturing, medical and pharma, rail services and crafts, automotive and components, boat building, chemicals, clothing and textiles, footwear and leather, film, furniture and decor.