Atlanta Phambili initiative boosts US-South Africa economic ties

In a bid to foster stronger trade and investment ties between South Africa and the City of Atlanta, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has partnered with Standard Bank on the Atlanta Phambili initiative. The initiative, which aims to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between the US and African countries at a sub-national level, was born out of discussions between the US Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Brigoli, the Mayor of Atlanta, Mayor Dickens, and the South African Government through the Presidency. The Atlanta Phambili initiative focuses on building diplomatic and economic ties with specific African countries to advance trade and investment relationships. This collaboration gained momentum towards the end of last year when the City of Atlanta expressed a desire to strengthen ties with Africa, particularly using South Africa as a gateway. A significant milestone in this initiative was the visit of a South African delegation comprising private sector and government stakeholders to Atlanta in March this year. The conversations centered around trade, investment, research, science and technology, sports, arts, and culture, with a focus on enhancing trade connections between the two regions. Of particular interest is the partnership between AXA, the airport company in South Africa, and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, aimed at developing the airport precinct in Kempton Park. This collaboration will also see AXA involved in the development of the Addis Airport to meet the growing demands of the aviation sector in Africa. Moreover, the Atlanta Phambili initiative seeks to leverage lessons learned from South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup to enhance preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Atlanta will be one of the host cities. The initiative also focuses on promoting services trade and expanding opportunities for South African businesses in Atlanta. As the Executive Head for International Trade at Standard Bank, Luthando Vuba highlighted the interconnected nature of trade and investment in driving economic growth. Standard Bank aims to support the initiative by facilitating practical actions that translate the discussions into tangible outcomes. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on supporting small businesses and ensuring their participation and benefit from large-scale projects like the development of airport precincts. The next phase of the Atlanta Phambili initiative will focus on opportunities in aviation, the World Cup, science and technology, and research exchange. Businesses in these sectors are encouraged to pay attention to the practical outcomes of the initiative, as Standard Bank plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment between South Africa and Atlanta across various themes.