Cape Town calls for Africa trade deal to unlock African markets for local businesses

30 July 2026

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos says open skies, stronger trade links and manufacturing growth are critical to ensuring African businesses benefit from the continent’s free trade agreement.

Cape Town must use the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a practical tool to unlock new markets for local businesses, manufacturers and entrepreneurs,’ said City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos at the 4th Southern Africa Conference on the AfCFTA.

The AfCFTA has been signed by 54 African countries and brings together 55 African Union member states and has the potential to significantly increase regional trade, investment, and economic growth.

Addressing delegates from across the continent, Alderman Vos said the success of the AfCFTA would depend on whether businesses can move beyond agreements and access real opportunities.

The AfCFTA cannot simply be a document that sits on a shelf. It must become the vehicle that gets more African products onto African shelves,’ said Alderman Vos.

He added that Africa has an enormous opportunity to increase trade within the continent, noting that intra-African trade remains far below other regions of the world.

‘We have incredible businesses producing world-class goods and services. The question is: how do we make it easier for those businesses to reach customers across Africa?,’ said Alderman Vos.

Alderman Vos highlighted that Cape Town and the Western Cape already have a strong export base, with provincial exports reaching R219,7 billion in 2025, up from R160,9 billion in 2021.

These are key summary points from his address:

Businesses need to have greater access to continental markets.

‘Trade agreements create opportunity, but connectivity creates access. If we want African businesses to trade with each other, we must remove the barriers that stand in the way,’ said Alderman Vos.

There is a need for greater liberalisation of Africa’s aviation sector through an Open Skies approach.

‘Open skies is an economic policy. It is about making it easier for businesses to connect, for exporters to reach markets and for investors to see Africa as one connected economy. Cape Town’s experience through Cape Town Air Access demonstrates the importance of improving connectivity to support economic growth,’ said Alderman Vos.

The City’s recently approved Manufacturing Support Policy as an example of how local government can support the ambitions of the AfCFTA.

‘If we want to trade more with Africa, we must produce more in Africa. That means supporting manufacturers, strengthening supply chains, and creating the conditions for businesses to invest and grow,’ said Alderman Vos.

‘The AfCFTA gives us the framework. Now we need action, better connectivity, stronger manufacturing, improved logistics and cities that are ready to support growth.

‘Africa’s economic future depends on turning ambition into implementation. The opportunity is clear: more African businesses selling to African markets, more value created on our continent and more jobs created for our people.

The latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger market analysis for June 2026 shows that African airlines continue to outperform the global market. African carriers recorded a 6,7% year-on-year increase in passenger demand, with capacity growing by 7%, while Africa accounted for just 2,2% of global passenger air travel. By comparison, global demand declined by 1,7% over the same period.

‘These figures show that demand for air travel in Africa is growing, but our continent still represents only 2,2% of the global passenger market. That is why South Africa must urgently implement an effective Open Skies policy. Better air connectivity will unlock more tourism, trade, investment and jobs. The potential is there, we simply need the right policy environment to allow it to take off,’ said Alderman Vos.

See the link to the 4th Southern Africa Conference on the (AfCFTA) https://millasa.co.za/afcfta-2026/

Caption 1: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth with (from Left) Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya (South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise), Soraya Mohideen (Principal Catalytic Sectors Officer, Enterprise and Development, City), Mariana Nyathi (Head of Content and Programme Coordination, MILLASA), Gerald Dube (MILLASA), Ilse van Schalkwyk (Deputy Director General: Strategic Economic Accelerators and Development at Western Cape Government), and Mongezi Magubane (South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise).

Caption 2: Alderman James Vos addressing the audience at the AfCFTA Conference

Caption 3: Alderman James Vos addressing the audience at the AfCFTA Conference

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office