Doing Business in South Africa

The World Trade Center – Kansas City continued their Doing Business In series by hosting Consul General Phumzile Mazibuko for Doing Business in South Africa. On Thursday May 17, 2018, the WTC -KC held a business roundtable with Ms. Mazibuko and local business executives, academic professionals and nonprofit leaders. Kansas City and South Africa have established bilateral relations including domestic companies with a presence in South Africa, companies importing and exporting between and an international education exchange with local universities.

Ms. Mazibuko has served in this position since January 2018. Her previous roles include Chief of Staff in the Ministry of International Relations & Cooperation and Senior Manager for Communication in the Department of House and Local Government in Limpopo. Her expertise of U.S. and South African bilateral relations and her knowledge of the key industries in South Africa were very informative for the Kansas City business community.

She gave a presentation on investing in South Africa followed by audience Q&A on the economics of doing business in her home country. South Africa offers a diversified economy with a strong regulated financial system which makes it a great place for international businesses. It also is a spring pad for doing business throughout Africa. Ms. Mazibuko pointed to the young population and middle class with strong purchasing power as a reason to enter the South African market. She spoke about the natural resources which can be favorably utilized with partnerships between South Africans and Kansas City businesses.

The World Trade Center – Kansas City’s Doing Business In series continues to be a success at bringing foreign diplomats and local businesses, nonprofits and education leaders together to better understand the potential for increased economic relations between the Kansas City region and foreign countries.