In many ways it’s pretty much the same as making plans to start exporting goods to any country in the world. You need to start off by doing some research to find out if your product compares to what is currently being supplied in the target market. Find out who your competitors are and what services they offer as well as their pricing schedules. Look at duty structures, freight rates, currency fluctuations and then you will have a better idea of whether you have a marketable product.

There are enormous opportunities in Africa but you have to thoroughly research the market. If your business produces machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments or foodstuffs then exporting to Africa is a great idea.

It’s important to have an agent who can travel to your target market on a regular basis and has established a network of customers there. This allows you to concentrate on supply and production. At some point though it’s important for you to get on that plane and travel to Africa. It’s important to meet people face-to-face and build proper relationships but make sure that you learn about their culture to avoid any potential embarrassing mistakes.

Some countries such as Nigeria offer both complimentary and fee-based market research tools to help possible exporters from other countries to analyze the market and gain insight into specific sectors.

Other advantages with Africa are lower salaries and rents, improving infrastructures and growth in those who have broadband.

There are risks though as in any emerging market. These include crime and corruption. Also in a country such as South Africa you have to respect laws that demand a certain percentage of employees, directors and shareholders are black.

In Gabon there are strict rules that have to be adhered to. These protect the health, safety and environment of Gabon’s citizens from sub standard imported goods. Exporters need to provide a Certificate of Conformity for Customs clearance. Since October 2013 this has been compulsory.

It’s important to break into a growing market like Africa as early as possible. Make sure you do your research, employ agents to keep a close eye on your investments and make sure you comply with all the relevant laws in the country you are exporting to and exporting to Africa really can pay dividends.

Traditionally a commodity exporter, Africa is diversifying into industrial goods and services. Tunisia is a good example of Africa’s emerging growth areas. Exports of electronic components have passed the US$ 500 million mark, expanding at annual rates of 22% for several years. In clothing, despite fierce global competition, Tunisia has been able to increase its market share. It now ranks eighth among 184 countries in the Trade Performance Index for clothing, reflecting exports of US$ 2.5 billion to a diversified group of countries. Mauritius, Africa’s other major clothing exporter, has also increased its world market share, supplying garments worth US$ 1 billion.

In textiles, the continent’s leading suppliers are South Africa, Morocco and Zimbabwe. More recently, a number of very successful small companies are driving rapid improvement in textile exports in Cameroon, Madagascar and Sudan.

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