Economic regions with great potential
Excellent opportunities for investment

SAFRI’s main objective is to draw the attention of German business and industry to a highly promising region – the nations of the Southern African countries which have come together under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). SAFRI serves as the central interface between the private business sectors in both Germany and the SADC region and since its foundation has been responsible for numerous projects and activities.

SAFRI informs German business and industry about investment and trading opportunities within the SADC region, arranges for contacts between German and African entrepreneurs and engages in public relations campaigns to improve the image of Africa in the German media as well as raise the profile of Germany in Southern Africa. SAFRI is thus making a valuable contribution towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Despite ongoing structural problems in the region and the as yet incomplete political and economic integration, SAFRI recognises the enormous potential of these economies and remains convinced of the tremendous opportunities offered by transnational infrastructure projects – particularly for German business. One of SAFRI’s most pressing goals is to bring about continued improvements in the framework conditions for investors.

SAFRI - a platform
for business networking

The Office of the SAFRI Chairman in Stuttgart develops activities on behalf of the Chairman and remains in close contact with the three supporting organisations, the Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Johannesburg) and the companies represented on the Executive Committee. Through the network of the supporting organisations and the Executive Committee SAFRI is able to draw on 

• a long tradition of expertise in Africa,
  
• a well-established network of contacts in all SADC countries,
  
• a comprehensive network covering all sectors of German business and industry,
  
• well established contacts with the Federal German government, ministries and other institutions.

Furthermore, SAFRI concentrates on the dissemination of information, the development of a feeling of goodwill and the establishment of contacts between business partners and organisations such as the German Investment and Development Company (DEG), the German Technical Agency (GTZ) and the German Bank for Reconstruction and Development (KfW). Such activities make use of the services of top German business leaders to head delegations and deliver conference addresses.

These activities which take place in Germany and Africa provide a multitude of companies with a more differentiated and positive image of the countries of Southern Africa, point out particularly promising business sectors and regions and serve to establish contacts between German entrepreneurs and their Southern African counterparts.

Southern African Development Community
United Nations Millennium Development Goals
German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
DEG
GTZ
KfW