AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (SOUTHERN AFRICA)

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We are a non-profit organisation

We have a broad objective of providing a networking forum for our members

Our objective is to develop business activities, promote trade, and in turn, deepen the relationship between Australia and Southern African countries.

Join today!

Benefits include what you need to know about doing business in Southern Africa, and whom to speak with.  View our membership presentation flyer for more information

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Africa-Australia Skills & Education and End of Year Social Event

It was with great anticipation that ABCSA set out to organise the second annual offering of the Africa-Australia Skills & Education event, held on the 7th of November. This year, the focus was on spotlighting a broader range of industries and giving our membership an opportunity to showcase the very positive impact they make in their respective business sectors and communities. 

Attendees were treated to dynamic and informative presentations from 

  •  two returning organisations in the formal education sector (Ideas Group & EIT)
  • one in the technology services sector (Boiler Room)
  • first-time presenters in the mining (Rio Tinto) and retail (Cotton On Foundation) sectors 

It was an enlightening evening that covered topics ranging from the importance of STEM to the future of AI in education, through to great CSI initiatives in mining and an in-job training programme that directly addresses South Africa’s youth unemployment crises. 

Thank you to 

  • the speakers for making this a memorable event
  • GIBS for hosting us so graciously 
  • The Australian High Commission for your ongoing support 

ABCSA looks forward to our third instalment in 2025

Check out our gallery for more images from recent events

Downloads

ABCSA membership presentation is available for download here

Members Portfolio

ABCSA members portfolio is available for download here

Welcome to our newest member

Matt Ellis

Matt Ellis started his career in the global vegetable trade over 30 years ago purchasing soybeans and sunflower seeds for crushing from famers in Queensland, since then he has traded vegetable oil across the globe and managed refineries and crush plants in Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Matt has a business career spanning 30 years, including ten years overseas.  He has held various senior management positions in Australian owned and multinational companies with responsibility for the trading, sales and marketing of food and industrial products derived from agriculture.

Latest News

MOU signed between ABCSA & SACCI

Mr. Danny Vengedasamy of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and Mr. Shaun Mills of the Australian Business Chamber of South Africa (ABCSA) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding aimed at fostering relationships between the two chambers where there exists mutual interest in business and economic development of the chambers members. The MOU focuses on disseminating to both chambers members information on services and partnership possibilities that may be available from either or both entities, providing sectoral assistance to one another, notifying each other of and assisting each other in events promoting the products of their business communities, organizing joint meetings and seminars where there are common interests, assisting with trade missions where appropriate and to inform members about possibilities of investment and advantageous trade opportunities for both chambers members, undertaking market studies on sectors presenting interest for both chambers, promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, hold joint meetings when necessary and arrange business to business engagements aimed at fostering trade and business partnerships.

Various Mining Conferences: Feedback required

The Africa Down Under (ADU) mining conference will be held from the 6-8 September in Perth, Western Australia. The next Mining Indaba, will be held from the 5-8 February 2024 in Cape Town.

The Chamber would welcome advice from any ABCSA members planning to participate in ADU or Mining Indaba 2024.

Chamber executive officers would be happy to have a discussion with members about participation arrangements or to explore how we might coordinate representation and share information.

Your feedback on the above would be greatly appreciated.

Please send any comments or feedback through to Fabienne Rossouw.

Advance - Global Australian Awards

Advance.org is a professional non-profit organisation for global Australians. Each year, the Global Australian Awards takes place, which recognises the work of remarkable Australians that are making an extraordinary impact on the global stage in the industry sectors that are of particular importance to Australia.

The Global Australian Awards recognise global Australians – including Australians living and working overseas, international alumni of Australian universities and recent migrants to Australia. The Global Australian Awards showcase the achievements of these inspiring global Australians who are innovating in their field and shaping the world. Selected by a judging panel of eminent Australians, the Global Australian Award winners and finalists are collectively known as the Advance Game Changers. Since 2021, Advance has promoted over 100 outstanding individuals who are shaping our world.

For nominations and more information, please feel free to visit their website, https://advance.org/awards/, or e-mail : awards@advance.org.

Upcoming Events

2-Day workshop : Grounding, Bonding, and Lightning Protection | 8 - 9 April 2025

Key takeaways from the workshop:

  • Comprehensive Grounding and Protection Techniques: Learn various methods of grounding, bonding, lightning, and surge protection to ensure electrical system safety and functionality.
  • Practical Skills and Standards Compliance: Gain hands-on experience in troubleshooting, designing, installing, and testing grounding systems, while understanding and applying national standards.

For more information, please click on the link.

 

2-Day workshop : Professional Certificate of Competency in Renewable Energy Systems | 25 - 26 March 2025

Key takeaways from the workshop:

  • Comprehensive Understanding of Renewable Energy Systems: Learn the operation, control, and integration of renewable energy systems like solar, wind, and hydro, plus advanced technologies like energy storage and AI.
  • Practical Skills and Applications: Gain hands-on experience in modeling and simulating renewable systems for sustainable energy solutions.

For more information, please click on the link.

 

The Africa Energy Indaba Event - 4-6 March 2025 | Cape Town International Convention Centre

Modern, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is critical for economic growth and the provision of access to modern energy contributes tremendously to improved health care, better education and opens up economic opportunities in both urban and rural areas in Africa. The Africa Energy Indaba is the definitive energy conference for Africa providing an annual programme that shapes energy policy for the African continent. Delve into discussions, solutions, and debates addressing the pressing need for adequate energy generation.

Embark on this journey to explore Africa’s potential and opportunity, addressing the pressing need for adequate energy generation. The Africa Energy Indaba is your platform to uncover insights, connect with specialists, and propel growth in the African energy sector.

If you are interested in attending, please click on the link for more details: https://africaenergyindaba.com/

 

Australian Business Chamber of Commerce Southern Africa : Australian Mining in Africa Event - Austrade| 5 February | 10h30 - 12h00

Austrade will be hosting an Australian Mining in Africa event on 5 February 2025 from 10h30 – 12h00 at the Hotel Sky.  Overview of the event: working roundtable brunch with Australian companies involved in mining in Africa with our Senior Diplomats and Trade Officials and invited experts.

It is an invitation only event and non-transferrable, where Austrade will be inviting Aussie Miners and METS active in Africa (and companies that are already at Mining Indaba) to come along to a Chatham House discussion over a seated working brunch (i.e. seated discussion rather than set presentations) for 90 mins.

Theme: “Australian mining in Africa – understanding the present and charting the future – invigorating a Team Australia approach in Africa ”

Expert speakers are being invited who will give their takes on the African mining environment, opportunities, challenges, risks, best practice in various areas and also encourage miners to join in the discussion and share their insights. On risks and security they have two companies coming – MS Risk and Control Risks that will be able to cover off on West and East and South Africa very well, as well as a range of other experts.  You will also hear from Australia’s Diplomatic Corps Seniors in or responsible for Africa (Australian High Commissioners and Ambassadors and DFAT a Senior Official that Heads Africa Branch visiting from Canberra), and Mr Scott Morriss himself. Besides being a good opportunity to engage with experts and the Australian Government, their hope is Australian Companies will share their common and differing concerns across the continent directly to all of Government in one place and time, hear from Austrade on proposed new strategies for better supporting Australian mining and promoting METS in Africa and hopefully come up with a better ‘Team Australia’ approach for all.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Juliet Kanyi on : Juliet.Kanyi@austrade.gov.au.

 

Webinar Highlights

For updates on the webinars held recently.

For more information – please visit the page.

The Chamber

With the active support of the Australian High Commission and Australia’s trade, investment and promotion agency, the Australian Trade Commission, Australian Business Chamber of Commerce (Southern Africa) (ABCSA) is now reaching out to multi-nationals and SME’s who have active business interests in Southern Africa to become members.

This will not only cover the mining industry but across the whole gambit of industries thus giving ABCSA a broader base to work from.

Explore business opportunities

In business, access to commercial and government networks is critical.

The Australian Business Chamber (Southern Africa) brings you access to a dynamic membership base.

Search for new partners, build relationships, explore opportunities or simply learn from experience on opening a business.

Doing Business in Africa

Africa is home to 6 of the top 10 fastest growing countries in the world and Australian exports to sub-Saharan Africa now top $11 billion a year.

We want to help you tap into those markets.

JOIN TODAY

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Johannesburg, Gauteng
South Africa

info@abcsafrica.org

+27 82 806 7777