South Africa is strengthening trade relations with the USA. The official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape marketing, Wesgro in association with the Western Cape Government hosted a high-level strategic discussion focused on strengthening market access to the United States. They emphasized on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The engagement brought together leaders from national and provincial government, alongside industry stakeholders, to explore opportunities to grow exports, enhance resilience and navigate global trade uncertainty.
Along with the US being the remaining key destination for the Western Cape exports, the dialogue has underscored the importance of deepening trade relations to drive economic growth and job creation in the province.
Wesgro extended a special gratitude to DTIC DDG, Xolelwa Mlumbi-Peter for attending this important engagement and to the business leaders, including Johann Francois Kotze, Michelle Constant (M. Phil Corp Strat), Vanessa Davidson, Eckart Naumann and Rico Basson, who shared valuable insights on the day.
In another meeting, At 2025 South African Transport Conference, CEO of Wesgro – Wrenelle Stander delivered a keynote address that called for urgent, integrated action to reshape South Africa’s transport future.
She said, “Let us not be the country that awaited. Let’s be the country that built a transport system that carried the nation forward.”
Transport is not just about roads, rail or ports; it is the circulatory system of the economy. It determines who gets to participate, where investment flows, and whether opportunity travels as freely as people and goods.
Major figres that demand attention are:
- 4 hours – the daily commute for many in Khayelitsha
- 40% – the portion of income that low-income households spend on transport
- 3.5x – the FDI multiplier in regions with efficient logistics
From overburdened commuters to underperforming freight corridors, transport system of South Africa reveals deep inequalities and enormous potential. Further Wesgro welcomes the progress underway:
- The creation of a Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager
- The opening of freight corridors to private operators
- Upcoming RFPs and critical investments in logistics and port infrastructure
These are not just reforms; they are signals of a country’s shifting from policy to progress. “We must build a system that doesn’t just move goods and people but carries an entire generation forward,” concluded Stander.