KARACHI: Pakistan will organize a single-country trade exhibition in South Africa to boost economic engagement with Africa.
Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF) has announced plans to organize a two-day Pakistan Single Country Trade Expo and an international trade conference in Johannesburg, South Africa by the end of August or during the first week of September 2026.
The mega trade event is expected to include around 100 exhibitors and an equal number of Pakistani business delegates, while over 1,000 African business leaders, investors, importers and representatives of companies are expected to participate. The initiative aims to strengthen trade relations between Pakistan and African countries, especially member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Speaking at a business breakfast organized by PSCTF at Karachi Gymkhana in honor of Prime Minister's Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, PSCTF Pakistan Chapter Central Convenor Syed Moizuddin said that Africa, especially South Africa, represents one of the most promising emerging markets for Pakistani products and services.
Also read: Beyond traditional markets: Pakistan's untapped export potential in Africa
He expressed confidence that Pakistani businesses will receive an encouraging response through the expo, which will showcase the country's industrial, commercial and export potential.
The event will also provide extensive opportunities for Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagement with strong possibilities of signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors.
The gathering was attended by business leaders, diplomats, political and social figures and members of the media. Notable participants included Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MNA Syed Hafeezuddin, PM Youth Program Coordinator for Sindh Dr Fahad Shafiq, PSCTF Patron-in-Chief Rafiq Suleman, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Senior Vice President Saqib Faiyaz Magoon, President Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Hasan Bakshi. and PSCTF Sindh Chapter President Muhammad Shoaib Qadri.
Syed Moizuddin highlighted the growing scope of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, and emphasized its role in creating a new generation of entrepreneurs and skilled professionals capable of competing in regional and international markets. He said the program is helping to strengthen startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial for sustainable economic growth.
Noting the rapid global adoption of artificial intelligence, he stressed the need for Pakistan to redesign its economic and educational policies to create a technically skilled workforce capable of supporting the country's transition towards a digital economy. “Pakistan must enhance its institutional capacity and embrace digital transformation to achieve its long-term economic objectives and remain competitive in the global market,” he said.
Moizuddin further said that the PSCTF is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to project Pakistan's economic potential globally, with a special focus on South Africa and other African markets. He said the federation recently organized the Pakistan-Africa Trade and Investment Summit 2026 in Karachi, which brought together policymakers, diplomats, financial experts and business leaders to explore avenues of trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan, African countries and regional partners including Iran.
He said Pakistan has significant export potential, while Africa offers vast opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. According to him, strategic economic cooperation in trade, industrial development, banking, technology transfer and investment can create sustainable economic opportunities for all participating countries.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman Prime Minister's Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan assured the business community of the federal government's full support in its efforts to expand Pakistan's footprint in international markets, especially emerging African economies.
He said empowering the country's youth – who constitute about 60 percent of Pakistan's population – remains a central pillar of the government's policy. He invited the business community to provide inputs to make youth-centric initiatives more effective and result-oriented.
“We are rapidly pushing the youth towards entrepreneurship, business growth and economic development,” he said. He said he is visiting cities, trade organizations and educational institutions across the country to build partnerships with key stakeholders.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026