South Africa’s government and industry are eager to demonstrate South Africa’s influence in regional affairs. The country is already the dominant player in the South African Development Community (SADC), and its entrance into the BRICS association of emerging influential economies in December 2010 shows the country has a desire to be seen as a leader both on the continent and globally. To facilitate expansion in Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the South African government have put in place a five-year plan to rebuild the South African industrial base.

The IDC’s Chemicals Unit has identified potential opportunities within the SADC region for mining chemicals, agrochemicals and biochemical products. With growth slowing in the domestic market, the government aims to look for growth outside of South Africa as once poverty-stricken markets develop a first-time demand for chemicals. While South Africa’s development has resulted in a chemicals industry that is predominantly composed of foreign firms and their local distributors, the value of domestic manufacturing heavyweights such as Sasol, AECI, Omnia and Aspen Pharmaceuticals should not be underestimated. Alongside these dominant players, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also play an increasingly important role in the South African economy.