The owner of La RicMal Wines, Malcolm Green, with a potential client in at the exhibition during the Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA).
Image: Supplied
South African companies have returned from Angola's Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA) 2026 with 82 trade leads and hundreds of meetings with potential buyers, as government efforts to boost exports into African markets gathered momentum.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) said the South African delegation, which exhibited at FILDA in Luanda for a week until Monday, attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the country's pavilion.
South Africa's participation at FILDA forms part of government's strategy to expand export opportunities for local companies and strengthen trade across the African continent by helping businesses access new regional markets.
The participating companies also met 341 buyers and took part in 55 business-to-business meetings.
The delegation comprised exporters from the agro-processing, steel and metal fabrication, engineering and mining, and chemicals sectors.
Wine producer La RicMal Wines said the exhibition generated strong interest from importers and distributors in Angola and neighbouring markets.
Owner Malcolm Green said the quality, pricing and packaging of the company's products had been well received.
"We received a good response from importers and distributors based on the quality of the product, the price and the packaging. There are also businesses operating in Angola that serve markets beyond the country's borders, including neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Namibia who showed interest in doing business with us," Green said.
He described Angola as a strategic gateway for companies seeking to expand across Africa.
"My experience from FILDA is that the opportunity for South African businesses is now. FILDA has grown, and there is a clear appetite among the international business community to invest in Africa," he said.
Johannesburg-based steel fabrication company InfraPower Engineering said it used the exhibition to pursue export opportunities and partnerships across the continent.
Managing director Rakgomo Maetje said the company held discussions with potential customers from Angola, Zimbabwe, India and other participating countries, as well as the Angolan Chamber of Commerce, which highlighted possible future transmission infrastructure projects.
"The exhibition generated strong interest in our products, with visitors making inquiries and requesting pricing on some of the offerings. We are pleased that we participated and look forward to engaging further with the clients and potential clients we have met," Maetje said.
Engineering company Lizwile Engineering also reported progress in building relationships in Angola as it targets opportunities in infrastructure, mining, energy and the oil and gas sectors.
Executive director Nomagugu Mvelase said the company had established relationships with several Angolan businesses while also exploring collaboration with fellow South African exhibitors.
"We are also pursuing opportunities in other African markets, including Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya. Our technical expertise and experience in delivering projects under challenging conditions positions us to contribute meaningfully to infrastructure development across the continent," Mvelase said.
TLT-Turbo Africa said it was targeting opportunities linked to Angola's expanding mining and oil and gas industries.
Director of sales and marketing Vusi Madlopha said participation in the exhibition also provided valuable insights into doing business across different African markets.
"We believe it is a good opportunity for us to be here now and establish our structure with the local agents we have identified so that we can exploit the business opportunities in this country," Madlopha said.
Eastern Cape-based cooking oil manufacturer Analit Africa Consumer Brands also reported encouraging engagement with prospective partners.
Founder and brand development executive Lungisa Lutshaba said the company had identified potential distributors, investors and retailers interested in expanding its products into Angola.
"We have identified potential distributors and partners interested in establishing relationships and investing in the business. We also engaged with representatives from a major bank, who requested a business plan, while major retailers and packaging companies expressed interest in further discussions," Lutshaba said.
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