Pretoria, South Africa –
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a strategic push to diversify South Africa’s trading partners, citing the need to strengthen intra-African trade and respond to the impact of tariff barriers, including recent U.S. trade restrictions.
“The ninth intervention is to accelerate the diversification of our trade partners to strengthen our participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and address the impact of tariff and non-tariff barriers,” Ramaphosa said during the unveiling of his latest Economic Action Plan.
To cushion industries hit by trade tensions, the president also announced an emergency industrial support package targeting key export sectors.
The move follows the United States’ imposition of a 30% tariff on South African imports, effective August 7. Ramaphosa pledged ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore balanced trade relations, while emphasizing new opportunities in Africa and beyond.
“We will expand exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as exports to BRICS countries and other markets where we will be paying visits in due course,” he added.
The urgency of diversification was further underscored by the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on September 30, which had previously allowed South Africa and other eligible nations to export to the U.S. under preferential terms.
Analysts say the pivot could accelerate South Africa’s alignment with AfCFTA goals, regional value chains, and deeper BRICS cooperation as global trade shifts.
