Islamabad (GNP): A Pakistan-SADC summit discussion on trade and investment has pointed to ways of strengthening commercial ties between Pakistan and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through better market access, targeted buyer-supplier links and sector-based business partnerships.
The initiative follows the aims of the 1st Africa Diplomatic & Economic Conference 2026, organised by the Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF), Pakistan Chapter. It is linked to the federation’s leadership, including Patron-in-Chief Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui and PSCTF Pakistan Chapter Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon.
The summit presentation, citing the Ministry of Commerce Year Book, put Pakistan-Africa merchandise trade at US$4.85 billion in FY2024-25, made up of US$2.24 billion in exports and US$2.61 billion in imports. Total trade in FY2023-24 was reported at US$5.45 billion.
Participants identified possible opportunities in food and agriculture, textiles and apparel, cement and minerals, machinery, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical instruments, leather products, footwear and sports goods. A preliminary market scan highlighted South Africa, Madagascar, Tanzania and Mozambique, though the country-level figures still need to be verified.
The presentation stressed that trade runs both ways. Pakistan imports coal, liquefied natural gas, phosphoric acid, natural phosphates and refined copper cathodes from African markets, which gives African exporters room to grow, while Pakistani firms can expand exports of food products, textiles, cement, minerals and other priority goods.
A proposed 90-day plan would turn these opportunities into practical results through four steps: validating trade data, compiling targeted buyer and supplier lists, assessing tariffs and market-entry requirements, and holding pilot business meetings for selected product-country combinations.
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The discussion emphasised that reliable trade data and commercially viable partnerships are essential to expanding economic cooperation with Africa, strengthening supply chains and creating lasting trade and investment opportunities with SADC member countries.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
