East Africa: A Growth Market for South African Exporters

East Africa offers enormous potential for South African exporters, thanks to its fast-growing economies, infrastructure needs, and proximity to South Africa. 

This is according to Gagan Santosh, Chairman of the Kamal Group, who believes local companies should seize the opportunity to expand into the region. Kamal Group entered the South African market in 2021 with its acquisition of Cape Town Iron and Steel Works (CISCO), now operating as Kamal CISCO. 

“The East African market is very good—not only for steel but also for oil refining, mining, gas, agriculture, and many other products South Africa is already producing,” Santosh said. 

He added that South African companies have the expertise to support the region’s infrastructure growth, while preferential trade agreements under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) provide a further competitive edge. 

Santosh highlighted opportunities in railway development, cast iron products, transport equipment, and food retail, noting that Tanzania and neighbouring countries represent a combined consumer base of nearly 200 million people. 

“That is a huge market, and it is just a matter of exploring it,” he said. “We are closest to East Africa, and that gives us a clear competitive advantage.” 

With infrastructure expansion and consumer demand on the rise, Santosh believes South African exporters are well placed to grow alongside East Africa’s dynamic economies. 

Jacques Moolman
President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry