South Africa cannot afford to ignore the fast-growing trade opportunities on its own continent if it wants to remain competitive globally. That was the message from Xolani Sithole, head of International Logistics at Bidvest International Logistics (BIL), during the NAACAM Show 2025 in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Africa: The Untapped Market
Speaking on a panel titled “From Local Strength to Global Reach: Scaling Component Exports”, Sithole warned that relying too heavily on Europe and the USA could limit South Africa’s export growth.
“We need to break into new markets that we haven’t been in before, so that we can be competitive with our pricing,” Sithole said. “The rest of the world is focusing on Africa. South Africa also has to start focusing on growing in Africa.”
With the automotive industry aiming to triple exports by 2030, Sithole argued that efficient and innovative logistics solutions would be the key to unlocking growth both within Africa and across global markets.
Logistics as the Gateway
- Sithole noted that export success is not just about manufacturing excellence, but about fast, safe, and cost-effective product movement. This requires:
Stronger infrastructure investment - Adoption of technology and freight visibility
- Efficient customs and cross-border processes
On the Ground at NAACAM
Beyond the panel discussions, BIL used its exhibition stand to connect with clients in the automotive sector.
Ntsika Rayi, part of the BIL team, said the event was a valuable platform:
“We spent almost a full week here preparing, and it has been very fruitful. As we are primarily responsible for freight forwarding, we connected with potential clients and engaged with existing ones who are expanding into the automotive industry. It was truly rewarding.”
BIL’s Commitment
BIL emphasised that its long-standing work with exporters shows how streamlined supply chains can help South African businesses expand globally. From customs compliance to freight route optimisation and technology-driven tracking, the company has positioned itself as a trusted partner to some of the country’s largest exporters.
Sithole closed with a call to action:
Getting our products to global markets isn’t optional, it’s urgent. By strengthening our logistics capabilities and exploring untapped African markets, we unlock the true value of our manufacturing sector.”
