Guidance

Start exporting to Africa

Find out about market opportunities, trade partnership agreements, support from the UK government, and export regulations and taxes in African countries.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 18 November 2022
• Last updated: 29 April 2024 — See all updates

Exporting to Africa

Research new markets, learn which sectors are in demand, and check how to export your product or service. Find out more:

• African markets in the markets section of the GREAT website (you will need to register for an account on the GREAT website to access more detailed information)
• trade and investment between the UK and African countries in the trade and investment factsheets
• how to export goods from the UK: step by step guidance
• UK Export Academy’s free training programme to show you how to export your products to the world
• learn to export (you will need to register for an account on the GREAT website to access this)
• check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods

Get help from the UK government

If you are a UK business interested in exporting to Africa, you can contact exportsupport.africa@fcdo.gov.uk for advice on how to:

• export your products to your chosen market
• make useful business connections in your chosen market
• get export finance and insurance from the government

You can also get advice if you:

• are already exporting to Africa and would like to expand
• need help fixing problems you are having with exporting to Africa

Find export opportunities

Find out how to apply for export opportunities in African markets, attend a trade mission, apply for tender opportunities, and win projects:

• find export opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa and other markets

• create a business profile to connect directly with international buyers (you will need to register for an account on the GREAT website to access this)

• search a list of trade missions related to ‘Africa’ (you will need to register for each event you are interested in)

• view a list of World Bank commercial and tender opportunities

• read guidance on aid funded business for UK companies on winning business from international aid and development projects

Managing risks in exporting

Learn about the risks of doing business abroad, trade barriers and how to avoid them, and get foreign travel advice by country:

• overseas business risk guidance with country-specific information on political, economic and security risks when trading abroad

• prepare to sell to a new country, helping your business manage the risks of bribery and corruption

• read guidance on funding, financing and getting paid

• read foreign travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for over 200 countries and territories

Find out more about Growth Gateway: supporting two-way trade and investment between the UK and Africa.

Published 18 November 2022
Last updated 29 April 2024 + show all updates

1. 29 April 2024

   Guidance reviewed and updated.

2. 18 November 2022

   First published.