The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has concluded a successful Export Symposium and Expo that took place from 14-16 October 2025, in Midrand, Gauteng. The Expo was hosted with an objective of profiling South African exporters in key sectors and positioning South Africa’s value-added and high-growth sectors in key global markets. 130 South African exporters from various key sectors showcased their high-quality proudly South African products.
According to the Chief Director of Export Promotion at the dtic, Ms Zanele Sanni, the symposium was a success as it provided a platform for conversations on key topics that have amplified the need for South Africa to diversify exports beyond reliance on specific partners.
Sanni said the symposium included four different panels discussion which were marked by robust discussions ranging from leveraging trade for inclusive growth and resilience right through to Export Finance. Other discussions focused on building on existing trade agreements, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which she said has become a catalyst to South Africa’s export growth into the continent, especially in the context of global trade turmoil that is characterised by steep tariff hikes.
“When the bulk of the buyers invited to attend the Export Symposium and Expo hail from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi – this confirms our country’s ambitions of directing our export diversification efforts for value-added manufactured products towards the continent,” said Sanni.
She further added that the buyers had business-to-business engagements with the South African exporters on automotive components, marketing and branding, automotive components, Information Communication and technology, agro-processing and mining machinery amongst others.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge that South Africa has always underscored the need to diversify our markets and really ensure that our products go throughout the world and not be reliant on a narrow range of trade partnerships. Of course the recent developments have made these market diversification efforts more urgent,” she said.
“We had very difficult conversations; we invited views, comments and questions from the floor. Both the panellists and delegates implored government to finalise the rules of origin around the sensitive sectors which would be pivotal for regional value chains as well as employment levels within African countries, “said Sanni.
Sanni reiterated what the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi said on the opening day, that he sees the Symposium evolving, broadening, and moving to other African countries. This he said would offer other African countries the ability to showcase their manufacturing prowess, thereby strengthening the continent’s intra-Africa trade ambitions. Each of African will be able to manufacture value-added products and in turn, we will be able source desired goods and services from within the continent. With this we will be easily able to improve on the current levels of about 15 to 16 %.
The Chief Director of Export Promotion at the dtic, Ms Zanele Sanni at the Export Symposium Expo.
Media Enquiries:
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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