President Cyril Ramaphosa to officiate South Africa first trade shipments under AfCFTA

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 , officiate the launch of South Africa's first shipment and preferential trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

The launch ceremony will take place at the Port of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal Province and occurs on the margins of the 13th AfCFTA Council of Ministers held  at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 30-31 January 2024.

South Africa is the first amongst the four SACU countries to practically realise the AfCFTA Agreement.

The 37th African Union Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government will at its annual convention in February 2024 take stock of the progress made thus far in the implementation of the AfCFTA.

The successful implementation of the AfCFTA is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productive capacity, acceleration of growth, increased investment, increased employment opportunities and incomes and most importantly broaden economic inclusion both in South Africa and the rest of the Continent. It provides South African exporters with new market access opportunities to key markets in the African Continent and can unlock growth. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be joined by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube; AfCFTA Secretary General, Wamkele Mene; among dignitaries that includes the AfCFTA Council of Ministers in witnessing the first shipment of Proudly South Africa products exported to the continent. 

Details of the South Africa  launch ceremony of first shipments under the AfCFTA will be as follows: 

Date:  Wednesday 31 January 2024

Time: 09h00 (media to arrive 07h30)

Venue: Port of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province 

Media accreditation for the launch ceremony can be directed to Mamosa Dikeledi on MDikeledi@thedtic.gov.za or WhatsApp: 066 301 9875

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa - media@presidency.gov.za 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria