G20 meetings present new trade opportunities for South African SMEs

IN A SIGNIFICANT turn of events, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) officially lapsed on 30 September 2025, ushering in a new era for South African trade relations with the United States.

- ASHLEY LECHMAN

This development comes amidst renewed U.S. tariffs and proposals for a potential, albeit short-term, extension of AGOA, further deepening uncertainty around the future of U.S.-Africa trade interactions.

Despite this challenging landscape, opportunities are emerging for South African businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

At the recent G20 meetings, two vital Memoranda of Intent were solidified with Brazil and Japan, promising to enhance trade, technology exchange, and agricultural cooperation.

John Steenhuisen, South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, hailed these agreements as a testament to the shared vision for food security and competitiveness.

Particularly notable is the agreement with Japan, which focuses on the advancement of smallholder farmers—a crucial segment of South Africa's agricultural sector.

“We must always view these efforts through the lens of what benefits our farmers, especially smallholders, and strengthens the food security of our people,” Steenhuisen stated. This cooperation will encompass knowledge sharing, technical exchanges, and potential establishment of a Joint Agricultural Working Committee.