The Director of Export Development and Support at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Kwanele Mkhwanazi says innovations and ambitions of emerging exporters must be supported by access to finance, amongst others. Mkhwanazi was speaking during the Partnering in Business with Germany (PG) networking event hosted by the the dtic, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Cape Town today.
The event was held under the theme, “Driving Innovation and Partnerships for a Green and Digital Future.”
According to Mkhwanazi, the dtic, through its Export Passport Programme (EPP), is working with partners to address common financing bottlenecks that emerging exporters face. He added that the session was not just about highlighting instruments, but about helping entrepreneurs understand how to leverage these tools to unlock opportunities, expand into global markets, and build sustainable export businesses.
“We know access to finance is one of the biggest barriers to entry, and today’s dialogue is an important step toward breaking down those barriers. Let us use this platform not just to network, but to build enduring partnerships, embrace innovation, and drive sustainable and digital growth together,” stated Mkhwanazi.
The PG programme is designed to support emerging South African exporters by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and networks necessary to successfully engage with the German market.
Mkhwanazi highlighted the value of South Africa’s trade with Europe and Germany.
“We embrace global partners such as Germany, who bring investment, innovation, and access to wider global value chains. We are also committed to improving intra-African trade as a strategic priority. This dual approach is what we describe as our butterfly strategy for exports, with Africa at the centre as the body, and other regions like Europe, Asia, and beyond forming the wings that allow us to expand. This approach not only diversifies opportunities for South African exporters, but also benefits Germany and other partners by anchoring them within Africa’s growth story, creating shared prosperity and resilience,” added Mkhwanazi.
The Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cape Town, Ms Tanja Werheit who also spoke at the same event was pleased by the fact that the programme has supported over 300 South African businesses, with 289 having travelled to Germany. More than 30 businesses now have deals with German firms.
Werheit described Germany as the biggest bilateral trading partner of South Africa after China. She added that Germany sought to broaden trade relations and diversify them with many countries, including South Africa. Additionally, she said for Germany to strengthen and support trade relations, and to further combine cooperation and business promotion, there were a number of instruments in place including the PG programme.
Furthermore, Werheit called on her South African counterparts to further work together to strengthen trade and investment relations. She encouraged businesspeople to work with the German Chamber of Commerce, which is an agency of foreign trade and investment when seeking cooperation with German companies.
The annual event is a platform to reconnect with alumni of the PG programme, monitor their business progression, and revive the collaborative ties established during their participation.
On the sidelines of the event there was a mini-exhibition showcasing the quality, diversity, and innovation of emerging from programme participants from various sectors.
The Director of Export Development and Support at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Kwanele Mkhwanazi.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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