Creating new trade opportunities for our clients in China at CAETE 2025

Delivering tangible trade impact

Driven by its core vision to drive Africa’s growth, Standard Bank actively translates this commitment into impact through initiatives that facilitate meaningful trade linkages and economic opportunities for African businesses.

The success of these initiatives is evident in the numerous profitable export deals that have been facilitated to date, including significant long-term agreements such as five-year trade deals involving iconic South African products like Rooibos tea, premium wines, and high-quality macadamia nuts. In 2022 alone, Standard Bank and ICBC facilitated trade flows between Africa and China valued at $600 million.

Assisting emerging exporters with China market access

This year, Standard Bank is demonstrating its continued commitment by hosting an impressive delegation of 50 clients from South Africa and various other African regions at CAETE 2025.

In a significant expansion of its support, Standard Bank will, for the first time, sponsor a select group of Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) clients that produce olive oil, citrus, non-alcoholic beverages and wine.

“This sponsorship includes covering the costs of flights, accommodation, CAETE event entry, and the fee for shipping product samples,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head, Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking. “The beneficiaries of this initiative are black-owned (51% or more ownership) companies with an annual turnover of under R50 million,” she explains.

Standard Bank’s ESD program supports businesses across multiple spheres, including those with contracts servicing the public sector, those with contracts servicing corporates (including Standard Bank itself), and emerging agribusinesses.

“A common challenge faced by these ESD agribusinesses is limited access to finance due to a lack of traditional collateral, often stemming from a lack of land ownership despite having access to land for production,” Mosomane explains. “We address this challenge by providing tailored financial solutions, along with crucial mentorship support to enhance business management skills and access to experienced agricultural experts.”

A specific focus area for Standard Bank’s support this year is a cohort of emerging citrus farmers. Historically, South African citrus has enjoyed preferential tariff-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, the recent tariffs imposed by the US administration have eliminated this crucial advantage.

“Agribusiness SMEs play a vital role in job creation and community development – and because of that, our ESD and ACTS teams are working together to actively assist these emerging farmers in navigating the complex phytosanitary and administrative processes required to obtain General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) certification for exporting citrus to China, Dlamini explains.

“Furthermore, Standard Bank is collaborating closely with its strategic partners in China, including ICBC, which is able to identify suitable Chinese buyers and build sustainable export markets for South African citrus,” say Dlamini.

“As a clear indication of Standard Bank’s long-term commitment to the growth and success of these emerging farmers,” Mosomane notes, “our comprehensive support also extends to working with agricultural specialists to guide these farmers in adopting best practices to meet the stringent quality standards demanded by the Chinese export market.”

Interested in learning more?

• Click here to learn more about our Africa-China Trade Solutions, or email [email protected]
• Click here for more information on our Enterprise and Supplier Development support, or email [email protected]
• Alternatively, reach out to your Business and Commercial Banking team for assistance.