The South Africa-UK development-focused free trade Economic Partnership Agreement, now in its fifth year and designed to harness the power of trade for mutual growth and job creation, has delivered significant benefits, including tariff savings on R50-billion of South African exports to the UK in 2024, while deepening trade, supporting jobs and boosting export-led growth.

The British High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), Western Cape trade and investment promotion organisation Wesgro and business organisation the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a seminar in Cape Town on January 20 to raise awareness of the market access and tariff savings available under this agreement with the UK.

This is because greater opportunities are available under the agreement. In 2024, South African businesses paid unnecessary tariffs on R3.8-billion worth of beverages, automotives and fruits and nuts exports to the UK, which highlights the need for greater awareness and use of the agreement, the British High Commission adds.

“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,” says British High Commissioner to South Africa Antony Phillipson.

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.

Currently, the UK is the largest market in the G20 for South African agricultural exports and the biggest buyer worldwide of South African wine, which presents significant opportunities, including for small and medium-sized enterprises, to expand into the UK market, he adds.

The seminar, which aimed to equip exporters in the agriculture and automotive sectors, focused on practical tools and resources to help South African businesses leverage the Economic Partnership Agreement for tariff-free access to the UK market.

“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,” says dtic acting deputy director-general for exports Willem van der Spuy.

“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,” he says.

Further, Western Cape female-owned winery Moedi Wines is leveraging the Economic Partnership Agreement and exports a range of premium still wines to the UK market.

“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-South Africa Chamber of Commerce.

“It is a powerful tool for small businesses, like ours, to build partnerships, scale sustainably, create jobs and take South African brands to the world,” says Moedi Wines founder Lesego Holzapfel.