South African companies eye trade prospects after successful showing at IATF 2025

South African companies who were part of the 30-member business delegation showcasing their products and services at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) held in Algeria have said that they are looking forward to doing business in Algeria and the rest of the continent.

This comes after generating many promising trade leads during the fair last week.

Dr Khulile Mtsetfwa, CEO of Swatek Defence and Aerospace, stated on Friday that the company signed three memoranda of understanding focusing on distribution lines in Algeria.

The company specialises in the design and manufacture of quality wiring harness, military dashboards, battery boxes, dashboard test bench and providing innovative electrical solutions to defence, aerospace, aviation, rail and automotive sectors.

“The plan is to make sure that we build relations and maintain the line of communication with country agents and distributors in order to penetrate the Algerian market and the rest of the continent,” said Mtsetfwa.

“Our mission throughout the week was to make sure that we expose our products to the countries which were represented at the fair.” 

The fourth IATF ended in a resounding success with $48.3 billion in trade and investment deals signed during the week-long continental exposition event attended by more than 112 000 visitors from 132 countries.

The representative of Hamisa Engineering and Mining, Bongile Tsotetsi, said they struck gold with a potential client who has shown interest in their personal protective wear.

“We managed to sign a contract worth R20 million that will see our company supply protective gear to a local company,” Tsotetsi said.

Held biennially, IATF provides a platform for businesses in Africa and the rest of the world to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exchanging information and exploring opportunities.

The Fair was organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

According to the IATF 2025 Report Card, the event welcomed 2 148 exhibitors and featured major activities, including a trade exhibition by countries and businesses, a four-day trade and investment forum graced by leading African and international speakers, among other events. 

B2B and B2G matchmaking programmes were held to facilitate strategic partnerships and government collaborations to unlock new opportunities.

Rashmee Ramdeen, the director of Zilon Bulk Bags, said his company’s polypropylene bulk bags were popular among the visitors and distributors with many leads generated.

“There is a potential order that is worth R6m that is being negotiated with a local company. There was a huge demand for our products because there are few manufacturers who are producing it in Algeria,” Ramdeen said.

“The country is currently importing from Europe and the price is not competitive. So this is our opportunity to make in-roads in the North African market.” 

Algeria, which had emerged a natural choice for IATF2025 because of its established industrial value chains, diversified economy and strategic location, ended up accounting for $11.4bn of the $48.3bn contracts signed at the IATF, representing 23.6% of the total deals that were closed at the fair.

Additional export opportunities/commitments for Algerian companies from the IATF, amounting to $11.6bn, are still scheduled to be signed.

Zanele Sanni, the chief director of export and marketing at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, reiterated that the IATF was an effective trade and investment promotion instrument that catalyses the implementation of the AfCFTA.

“Participating in this landmark event, assisted in strengthening intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, and accelerating collaboration in critical sectors such as energy, automotives mining and technology,” said Sanni.

The South African Pavilion was visited by more than 3 000 people, 267 buyers, generated about 300 leads with an estimated value of R483m post six months sales, and hosted more than 120 business-to-business meetings.

BUSINESS REPORT