Understanding the Global Trading Environment

A common misconception about Africa is that local businesses cannot compete in international trade. However, this perception is the furthest thing from the truth. There are countless examples of African companies that have been highly successful in international trade and continue to expand into new markets. The real question we should be asking is why more African businesses are not engaging in international trade.

International business is about being as competitive as possible; however, countless exporters do not take advantage of the benefits of various free trade agreements. Free trade agreements are particularly important for small businesses because they involve the removal or reduction of trade barriers such as tariffs, subsidies and embargoes, which makes an SME more competitive in the foreign markets concerned.

The truth is that Africa doesn't need aid; it needs trade. Whether you are exporting from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini or Mozambique, you could have a massive impact on your economy and community. However, the global market is a complex beast! Far too many great Southern African businesses enter the export market without access to the knowledge they need to succeed. The TFSA School of Export aims to change that. The TFSA program has set up a fully digital online school of export to assist businesses exporting from South Africa and neighbouring countries. The online platform offers a range of on-demand, export-related content intended to give business owners and staff the knowledge and information they need to become the next export giant of Africa.

All countries aspire to a higher ranking on the development curve. The more sophisticated their wares, the more income they generate from selling them. This, in turn, leads to more money flowing into the fiscus which enables a country’s government to invest in infrastructure which leads to greater employment opportunities for its people.