Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau speaks during a trade and investment engagement. The department is supporting South African companies exhibiting at Angola's Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA) to expand exports and strengthen intra-African trade.

NNA News - South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) is backing a delegation of companies at Angola's largest trade fair this week as Pretoria pushes to expand value-added exports and strengthen trade ties under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The dtic announced in a statement on Monday that it was supporting South African companies in agro-processing, steel and metal fabrication, engineering, mining and chemicals to showcase "Proudly South African" products and services at the Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA) in Luanda from 21 to 26 July.

The participation is expected to create opportunities for South African businesses to expand exports, attract investment, establish new commercial partnerships and strengthen bilateral trade relations with Angola. FILDA is Angola's largest multi-sector trade exhibition. Organisers said the 2025 edition attracted about 1,800 companies from 18 countries and generated business worth more than $60 million, underlining the fair's scale as a regional trade platform.

Companies are participating with support from the Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme, which aims to develop export markets for South African products and services and to attract new foreign direct investment. The scheme also advances the dtic's "Butterfly Strategy", which prioritises higher value-added exports, industrialisation and regional economic integration through the AfCFTA.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau explained that small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) remained central to South Africa's export growth strategy. He noted they were critical to driving industrial development and expanding trade opportunities across the African continent. "The department remains committed to supporting SMMEs as they explore new export markets, strengthen their competitiveness and contribute to inclusive economic growth and industrial development," Tau said.

Shipping containers and cargo cranes are seen at the Port of Durban, South Africa's busiest commercial port. The government says expanding exports through regional markets such as Angola forms part of its strategy to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He added that through the National Industrial Policy Framework, the government was committed to promoting intra-African trade and advancing industrialisation across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the wider African continent. "Promoting South Africa's commercial value proposition at FILDA is an important component of this strategy. It provides South African companies with an opportunity to position themselves in Angola's reform-driven economy while securing first-mover advantages in sectors with strong growth potential," Tau stated.

Tau explained that the exhibition formed part of the government's efforts to shape export markets by expanding opportunities for South African companies and improving the effectiveness of export promotion measures across Africa. He further highlighted that Angola's economic diversification beyond oil into agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing and technology was creating significant opportunities for South African companies to export products, services and technical expertise. "FILDA provides participating companies with valuable insight into the Angolan market while creating opportunities to secure export sales, establish long-term business relationships and generate new trade leads. The exhibition's business programme also offers valuable networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and direct engagement with industry leaders and potential partners," Tau said.

Bilateral trade between South Africa and Angola exceeded R21 billion last year. South Africa exported goods worth R6.5 billion to Angola and imported goods worth R14 billion from the country, according to dtic data. The department said participation at FILDA formed part of wider efforts to expand opportunities for South African exporters and increase the country's commercial footprint in African markets through platforms such as the AfCFTA.