Programme Director;

President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa;

Excellences and Heads of State and Government;

His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank and co-convener of IATF, Prof. Benedict O. Oramah;

Government Ministers and Senior Government Officials;

Captains of Industry and Leaders of Business;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

 

Sanibonani! Habari! Good Morning!

 

I stand here with a great sense of humility and honour to welcome sons and daughters of Africa from Cape to Cairo, from Morocco to Madagascar, to their home, the warm, hospitable, and majestic province of KwaZulu-Natal.

We pay tribute to Africans in the diaspora and Africa’s partners for development from all corners of the globe who are with us today or virtually as we gather for the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF)2021.

The Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) 2021 is our golden opportunity to unite, collaborate, and give the best we have to support Africa to become the tree of life as contemplated in the African Union (AU) anthem.

In this regard, we honour all African leaders who have worked tirelessly to give effect to the goal of an integrated, politically united, and prosperous Africa based on inclusive economic growth and sustainable development through the realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

There is no doubt that the AfCFTA will be a game changer for stimulating intra-African trade and boosting intra- African exports.

And so, this IATF2021 must be remembered as a marketplace of ideas, an occasion of sharing experiences, and an affair of making business connections and concluding concrete trade deals.

It must inspire the African youth to lead in innovation and in accelerating the entrepreneurial revolution, leapfrog development and eliminate poverty and underdevelopment.

For the next seven days, Africa’s entrepreneurs, business leaders, and governments are meeting in this City of Durban to realise the Africa of our dreams as espoused in Agenda 2063.

IATF2021 takes place under the well-timed theme of “Building Bridges for a Successful AfCTA”.

In pursuit of building bridges for successful intra Africa trade, we must draw inspiration from the Nigerian poet, Dike Chukwumerie who, for many years, has been telling Africans to look to themselves for their own salvation. For him, “the wall and bridge are both in the heart”. He implores us to remember that no nation or continent can stand if it divides its people. He is a sharp critique of the politics of division, ethnicity, and xenophobia in Africa reminding us that “no culture is older than being human”. 

Let us learn from one another on how we can grow intra-Africa trade and diversify our economies. We must learn from the economic growth story of East African economies fuelled by countries like Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are pleased to report that the KZN provincial government has adopted the KZN Export Strategy and Implementation Plan. The Strategy aims to maximise on the trade opportunities that are imbedded as part of Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).

The strategy has identified top twenty (20) products with the potential to be exported to the continent. It has mapped-out the applicable products to at least 21 African countries with huge export potential.

 

We appreciate the interest shown by the African Export-Import Bank (Afremixbank) to support the province’s economic growth trajectory which has led to KZN to sign a memorandum of Understanding with the bank.

 

In the midst of the economic devastation brought about by the corona virus, we have crafted the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Reconstruction and Transformation Plan. It’s a plan that promotes Public-Private Partnership to accelerate inclusive economic growth and create employment. 

 

The plan has identified priority sectors to attract investments and drive exports. These are: Agriculture and Agro-Processing; Clothing and Textiles; Creative Industries; Finance and Services; Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ICT and Innovation; Health Innovation and Manufacturing; Infrastructure Development (Water, Energy and Sanitation); Manufacturing (Automotive, paper and pulp); Oceans Economy and Tourism. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, our province has a simple message to IATF2021. KwaZulu-Natal is open for business! 

To improve the ease of doing business, in 2017, we established the KZN One Stop Shop Provincial Office located at the Trade & Investment KZN premises.  Three Satellite One Stop Shops are in Ethekwini Municipality, Dube Trade Port and the Richards Bay IDZ. 

 

 

To build bridges and advance regional integration, our province continues to invest in seaport, airport and road infrastructure. We are placing emphasis on developing regional corridors linking our neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. 

 

KZN is home to the Durban and Richards Bay ports which handle almost 60% of SA’s cargo tonnage. Most bulk export operations occur in Richards Bay which produces over 4% of the global exports of aluminium. 

The province boasts two industrial zones, namely: Dube Trade Port and Richard’s Bay Industrial Development Zone. 

The development of an automotive supply park in the South of Durban is envisaged to stimulate the automotive sector and work is underway to develop a Clothing & Textile SEZ in the province.

KZN has many natural advantages including the scenic beauty, biodiversity and the unique cultural diversity. The province boasts two World Heritage Sites in the form of the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. 

Fellow African Compatriots, the growth of any African country is intertwined with the development of the rest. It is intertwined and inseparable. African countries must stop thinking that they will survive on crumbs of colonialism and try to define themselves individually at the expense of others. 

As KwaZulu-Natal, we are inspired to host this historic Trade Fair, for we believe it will enhance trade within the continent and build production capacity. We must end a colonial legacy where Africa’s raw minerals continue to enrich advanced and industrialised countries while the continent remains poor.   

The historic bond of KwaZulu-Natal to Africa was properly contextualised by former President Mbeki at the launch of the African Union in 2002; where he said: 

“I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today in the land of King Shaka, whose name is known across the globe.

This is the land of King Cetywayo, whose armies defeated the seemingly invincible colonial armies of the British Empire at Isandlwana.

It is the land of Nkosi Bambata, who turned the Inkandla forest into a permanent monument to the courage and heroism of an African people in defence of their right to freedom and self-determination.

I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today at the home of John Langalibalele Dube, the patriot and co-founder of the African National Congress.

This, also, is the home of Pixley ka Isaka Seme, the patriot and co-founder of the African National Congress.

I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today at the home of Nkosi Albert Luthuli, the first African winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

I am proud that Africa is taking the giant step forward she is taking today at the temporary home of Mahatma Gandhi. At this place, Mahatma Gandhi accumulated the skills that helped to free India from the yoke of British colonialism, the jewel in its crown, which precipitated the collapse of the colonial system in Africa and elsewhere in the world”.

Together building bridges for a successful AfCTA and prosperous Africa.
May posterity absolve Africa and the future be kind to her African daughters and sons.
I thank you!