Africa Strategic Business Unit

Building relationships across borders

South Africa's prosperity is inextricably linked to the economic development of the rest of Africa, which offers enormous market potential and, as yet, untapped resources.

In addition, South African products and services can contribute to the development of the continent's various economies.

The IDC brings a wealth of experience both locally and across borders to industrial transformation across Africa, supporting sustainable development in Africa.

We have a specialised team that works closely with locally based partners knowledgeable of the specific conditions. We established working relationships with development finance institutions and regional forums in 34 African countries.

Our unit is responsible for business development activities such as marketing our products, identifying suitable financing and investment opportunities throughout Africa and managing our relationships with clients and stakeholders on the continent.

The unit promotes development-oriented projects among locally based operating/technical partners by highlighting their potential long-term sustainability and commercial viability.

Through our promotional activities, we have raised the IDC's profile throughout the continent and generated widespread interests in our activities.

We provide financial support through:

• Equity
• Quasi-equity
• Commercial debt
• Export finance
• Guarantees
• Wholesale finance
• Lines of credit (to regional and local African DFIs)

The sectors of interest to us include:

• Mining and beneficiation
• Agro processing
• Industrial infrastructure (including telecoms, energy, water & sanitation, transport, etc.)
• Tourism (primarily hotel and resort development)
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing (in general)
• Information and Communication Technology
• Forestry and related products

Funding criteria

We give preference to projects that:

• Are potentially beneficial to the host country and to South Africa;
• Are economically viable and sustainable in the medium to long term;
• Benefit a large number of people, regional groupings and / or local communities;
• Include a credible operating partner;
• Are sizeable and indicate an acceptable degree of self-sustainance within a reasonable time frame; and
• Entail significant contributions from respective promoters.

We also play a crucial role in:

• Providing investment guidance when necessary; and
• Assist regional policy formulation.

We also:

• Belong to the SADC Development Funding Regional Council;
• Support capacity building initiatives for SADC and other regional Development Finance Institutions; and
• Participate in regional trade and investment promotion activities alongside the Department of Trade and Industry.

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