The British High Commission in Pretoria, in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Wesgro, and supported by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, hosted a Seminar in Cape Town today to raise awareness of the market access and tariff savings available under the Economic Partnership Agreement with the UK.
This is a development-focused free trade agreement designed to harness the power of trade for mutual growth and job creation. This commitment was at the heart of today’s seminar, which also marked a significant milestone for the agreement.
The seminar coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Economic Partnership Agreement marking five years of driving inclusive economic growth between the UK and South Africa. Since its inception, the agreement has delivered significant benefits, including tariff savings on R50 billion of South African exports to the UK in 2024 alone, deepening trade, supporting jobs, and boosting export-led growth.
Greater opportunities are available. In 2024, South African businesses paid unnecessary tariffs on R3.8 billion worth of beverages, automotives, and fruits and nuts exports to the UK – highlighting the need for greater awareness and utilisation of the agreement.
Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, said
Mutually beneficial trade is at the heart of our growth partnership with South Africa. Working together to ensure businesses avoid unnecessary tariffs is one of many ways we can grow further, faster, together.
Currently, the UK is the largest market in the G20 for South African agricultural exports and the biggest buyer worldwide of South African wine, presenting great opportunities, including for small and medium enterprises, to expand into the UK market.
One local business already benefiting from the Economic Partnership Agreement is Moedi Wines, a female-owned winery based in the Western Cape. This brand exports a range of premium still wines to the UK market.
Lesego Holzapfel, Founder of Moedi Wines, said
The Economic Partnership Agreement has helped Moedi Wines compete more effectively in the UK market by supporting a more enabling trade environment and opening doors for us to curate tasting experiences in London, in partnership with the International Trade Centre, Perold wines and the UK -SA Chamber of Commerce. It’s a powerful tool for small businesses like ours to build partnerships, scale sustainably, create jobs and take South African brands to the world.
As part of equipping exporters in agriculture and automotive sectors, the seminar focused on practical tools and resources to help South African businesses leverage the Economic Partnership Agreement for tariff-free access to the UK market.
Acting Deputy Director-General for Exports at the dtic, Mr Willem van der Spuy, underscored the importance of the initiative, stating
The Economic Partnership Agreement is a strategic instrument for growth and job creation. While many exporters are already benefiting from preferential access to the UK market, too many firms continue to pay avoidable tariffs. Through this awareness programme, the dtic is translating trade policy into firm-level action and unlocking export-led growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises.
Five years in, the UK government remains committed to ensuring that Southern African businesses fully leverage the Economic Partnership Agreement with the UK in ways that foster growth, strengthen competitiveness, and ultimately contribute to a diversified local economy that turns profits into jobs and sizable investment.
