Algero-South African Forum: Algerian Product Exhibition in Johannesburg, Early 2025
The Algero-South African Economic Forum concluded its proceedings on Thursday evening in Algiers with an agreement to organize an exhibition featuring Algerian products in Johannesburg during the first quarter of 2025. A joint strategy was also adopted to promote trade exchanges and foster partnerships between economic operators from both countries.
According to the final communiqué presented by Rabah Fassih, Director of Promotion and Support for Economic Exchanges at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, a range of activities will be implemented in the near future to enhance the visibility of Algerian products in South Africa, particularly through the planned exhibition in Johannesburg.
Moreover, representatives from both Algeria and South Africa agreed to participate in economic and investment meetings and events organized in their respective countries, including the International Fair of Algiers (FIA) and the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), set to take place in Algeria from September 4 to 10, 2025.
The second edition of the Algero-South African Economic Forum is scheduled to occur next year in Johannesburg, and will include a meeting of the joint business council, as noted in the communiqué that wrapped up the forum, which was held concurrently with the seventh session of the Algeria-South Africa Joint Commission for Cooperation.
The communiqué also underscored the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise across various economic sectors, highlighting initiatives that reflect the shared ambition of Algeria and South Africa to establish a sustainable, diversified, and mutually beneficial economic partnership, aligning with their common vision to enhance the prosperity of the African continent.
The Algero-South African Economic Forum attracted over 300 businessmen and economic operators from both nations, representing diverse sectors such as agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy and renewable energies, mining, tourism, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
Speakers acknowledged the favorable business and investment climate in both countries, urging economic operators to strengthen their commercial and economic relations, especially following their accession to the Guided Trade Initiative of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Discussions at the forum focused on the investment climate in both nations and explored ways to leverage the available opportunities within their markets. In this context, the Algerian Agency for Investment Promotion (AAPI) highlighted the benefits of investing in Algeria, while the South African representatives provided insights into investment opportunities in South Africa.
Additionally, Samir Deradji, the interim Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, reviewed the current state of trade exchanges between Algeria and South Africa. He emphasized that these levels do not accurately reflect the depth of bilateral relations, underscoring the need to intensify efforts to enhance the volume of these exchanges.
This forum was organized in conjunction with the state visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa.
During his visit to Algeria, Cyril Ramaphosa observed the organization of business-to-business (B2B) meetings between economic operators from both countries. Notably, the forum’s proceedings were co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, Mohamed Boukhari, and South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau. They were joined by Major General Abdelhafid Bakhouche, the Director General of Customs, along with various economic operators from both nations.
