The Acting South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Thando Dalamba, has reaffirmed the strong diplomatic and commercial ties between South Africa and Ghana during the official opening of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) Outward Selling Mission (OSM) in Accra, Ghana, yesterday.
This second leg of the mission follows engagements held in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier this week, and forms part of the dtic’s support to the South African businesses to access new markets and expand trade relations across the continent.
Addressing business leaders and stakeholders, Dalamba noted that the mission brought together leading South African companies from sectors including mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and agro-processing, who are eager to explore Ghana’s trade and investment opportunities.
“We meet here today with a shared goal to deepen our economic cooperation for mutually beneficial partnerships and contribute to the sustainable growth of both our countries,” said Dalamba.
Dalamba emphasised that the mission builds on more than three decades of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Ghana, which have evolved into robust commercial partnerships. He pointed out that total trade between the two countries has grown significantly, with South Africa recording surpluses in 2022 and 2023, driven largely by exports of iron ore, steel products, and automotive parts, while also experiencing a sharp rise in imports of gold and petroleum products.
“This underscores the need to boost South African exports to Ghana, with particular focus on local manufacturing and beneficiation,” he stated.
According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, there are close to 200 South African companies currently operating in Ghana. Acting High Commissioner Dalamba welcomed this presence but highlighted the need for updated statistics in collaboration with the Centre to capture the full scope of South African business activity in the country.
He also urged South African firms to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which calls for partnerships in pursuit of shared prosperity.
“I encourage our companies to partner with their Ghanaian counterparts in establishing local plants and value-addition facilities with the aim of creating jobs, enhancing skills, and making significant contributions to poverty reduction,” he said.
Highlighting the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dalamba described it as a new chapter for intra-African trade, noting that South Africa’s first shipment under the AfCFTA to Ghana in January 2024 included locally manufactured goods such as automotive components, showcasing the opportunities the agreement creates for both countries.
He further welcomed Ghana’s economic initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, productivity, and job creation, and encouraged reciprocal efforts by Ghanaian businesses to explore opportunities in South Africa across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, energy, technology, and tourism.
Dalamba also referenced the reciprocal visa waiver agreement between South Africa and Ghana, effective from November 2023, which allows passport holders to travel for up to 90 days, describing it as a “major enabler of business exchange.
He concluded by linking the mission to the South Africa–Ghana Bi-National Commission, last held in Pretoria in March 2024, which prioritised trade and investment among other key areas of cooperation.
The Acting South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Thando Dalamba, addressing delegates at the official opening of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) Outward Selling Mission in Accra, Ghana, where he reaffirmed the strong diplomatic and commercial ties between the two countries.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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