IATF Business Forum 2023 Johannesburg

In preparation for the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), a flagship operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), that took in Cairo in November 2023, the GGDA, in collaboration with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat hosted the IATF2023 Business Forum.

Themed “Promoting South Africa-Africa Trade and Investment Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”, the session was attended by Former South African Deputy President H.E Baleka Mbete; Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who delivered the keynote address; GGDA Acting CEO Saki Zamxaka; Black Business Council Vice President, Gregory Mofokeng; Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President: Intra-African Trade Bank, Kanayo Awani and various captains of industry.

It delved into intra-Africa trade opportunities for South African #entrepreneurs, financing trade deals and how to address gaps in the SA-Africa trade facilitation ecosystem.

Gauteng is committed to realising its ambitions to increase intra-Africa trade and firmly believes that increasing the manufactured goods traded in Africa will be at the forefront of driving the organic #industrialisation of the continent.

In his opening address, Mr Saki Zamxaka mentioned discussions he has had with Afreximbank to potentially host the next Intra-Africa Trade Fair in Gauteng, given the size of the province’s #economy and capacity in manufacturing and providing the necessary services. He emphasised the GGDA’s role to ensure the implementation of whatever decisions are taken during the Forum.