The Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) received a recognition award for the promotion of business and ease of trade between Pakistan and South Africa, on Wednesday 18 August 2025, following the conclusion of the Pakistan-South Africa trade summit in Sandton.
Receiving the award, RCCI CEO Richard Ntjana took a moment to dedicate the award to the chamber’s former and late CEO Mrs Linda Blackbeard: “She laid a solid foundation for me, the RCCI board, staff and members through her dedication to empower and promote local businesses in Randburg and beyond.”
Ntjana called on current members of the chamber and the board to keep working tirelessly in promoting and building a conducive business environment in honour of Blackbeard’s legacy.
The second Pakistan-South Africa trade summit was convened to reinforce trade relations between Pakistan and South Africa. The summit was organised by Pakistan-SADC chamber Trade federation in partnership with the South African chamber of commerce and industry (SACCI), Gauteng Growth and Development Agency and RCCI to catalyse private sector linkages through B2B meetings and dialogue.
The summit drew over 100 delegates from both countries and was co-chaired by Small Business Development Minister Stalla Ndabeni-Abrahams and Pakistan’s Federal minister for investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.
In his keynote address address, minister Sheikh shared Pakistan’s resolve to have a dynamic economic partnership with South Africa. He highlighted recent reforms of streamlining the business environment and attracting foreign direct investment in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, IT and energy.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams in turn, underscored the vast potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment. She highlighted shared historical, political and cultural links while noting South Africa’s standing as Pakistan’s biggest trading partner in Africa.
South Africa-Pakistan trade relations
Pakistan and South Africa share cordial diplomatic ties and a growing trade relationship. Cooperation has fostered a multifaceted relationship across political, economic and defence spheres. Currently, South Africa exports US$240 million worth of goods to Pakistan on a yearly basis. Pakistan exports slightly less to South Africa (US$210 million) with major items including cotton, yarn, woven fabrics, leather, rice and textiles. Source
Delegates agreed that events such as the trade summit are a perfect opportunity to promote trade, investment and economic integration between Pakistan and South Africa with focus on B2B opportunities in agriculture, food products, tourism, kitchenware, construction and communications