The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau says government is committed to utilising digital innovation to ensure that South African-made products are visible, accessible, and easy to procure by both local and international consumers.
This, he says, is part of the country’s industrialisation agenda which prioritises localisation.
He was speaking at the launch of online eCommerce platforms initiated by Proudly South African – an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic).
The two platforms, the Business to Customer (B2C) e-commerce platform – Shop Proudly SA, and the Business to Business (B2B) portal Market Access Platform (MAP) are aimed at transforming and ensuring the success of the ecommerce industry in South Africa and promoting the buy-local campaign.
Tau explained that after the successful virtual pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the dtic realised that South Africa lacked a centralised digital marketplace to showcase and connect buyers with locally made goods and commissioned Proudly SA to develop the online shopping platforms.
“To date, over 500 verified South African suppliers have been on boarded onto the new platforms, with thousands of products available across categories. The first phase focused on B2C (business-to-consumer) functionality, and the platform now includes bulk and wholesale purchasing capabilities. The next major development is the introduction of export functionality. This will allow South African manufacturers , especially MSMEs, to access opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a market with a projected GDP of $3.4 trillion and access to 1.4 billion consumers,” he said.
He added that it is critical that local producers benefit from South Africa’s e-Commerce market growth which is expected to reach R225 billion by 2025.
“We are at a critical juncture. Our localisation strategy is more than a set of targets, but rather, it is a commitment to rebuild the productive economy, reduce inequality, and empower South African producers. Through these platforms, we are removing friction, creating access, and bridging the gap between policy intent and market reality. But we cannot do it alone. We need every South African consumer, buyer, CEO, and policymaker to act. Buy local. Source local. Empower local,” he said.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, addressing attendees at the launch of Proudly SA online shopping platforms in Sandton
Enquiries:
Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
Mobile: +27 82 520 6813
WhatsApp: +27 82 520 6813
E-mail: KAlli@thedtic.gov.za
Or
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
Tel: (012) 394 1643
Mobile: 079 5083 457
WhatsApp: 074 2998 512
E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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