Doing business in South Africa

South Africa is a sophisticated and promising market, offering a combination of a well-developed economic infrastructure with a vibrant emerging market economy.

South Africa is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies and is a market with significant opportunities for UK companies across a range of sectors. The country has abundant natural resources, a well developed banking system, good infrastructure, with major capital injections to upgrade this further, a business culture that is similar to that of the UK, and is the gateway to other African markets.

South Africa has a longstanding history with the UK and the UK is one of South Africa's most significant trading partners, with over £7 billion in two-way trade in goods and services.

What are the opportunities?

There are strong opportunities for UK/South African partnerships in agri-technology, advanced engineering & design, construction, rail, chemicals, mining, education & skills, environment, power, creative industries, healthcare, sports & leisure infrastructure and financial services.

Guide to doing business in South Africa

UKTI has produced a guide aimed at companies experienced in overseas trade who are new to doing business with South Africa. This guide aims to provide a route map of the way ahead, together with signposts to sources of help.