About Us
The African Continent is emerging as the new frontier for growth and opportunity in all sectors, including infrastructure, energy, water resources, tourism, communications, and transport. A group of leading Zimbabwean business people came together in 2021 to form the Africa South Business Group (ASBG), which seeks to present this reality to the world on behalf of the private sector in Southern Africa.
ASBG was formed with the mission of advancing bilateral commercial and political relations between the States of southern Africa and the rest of the world. By leveraging its extensive network in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the ASBG provides unparalleled access to senior decision makers in business and government with the aim of deepening economic and business relationships.
Through our activities, we seek to identify emerging trends, problems, and opportunities for closer collaboration between the SADC and its major trading partners. We aim to work in partnership with all relevant Governments, and through Chapters in all major Capitals, we help facilitate business and provide strategic advice to Governments on the interests and concerns of our member companies and the wider business community.
Our Working Groups cover a range of sectors and are chaired by eminent business leaders, thought leaders, and academics. We are funded by our members and are a totally private sector organization dealing with issues that impede the stability and economic progress of southern Africa.
The ASBG celebrated its establishment in 2021 by establishing a consortium of founding members in Zimbabwe and aims to establish Chapters with similar objectives in all SADC States. Once it is established regionally the objective is to register in Switzerland as a Verein and with its headquarters in Victoria Falls and is in the process as registering a Chapter as s a 501(c)(6), non-profit trade association based in Washington, DC.
Overarching Policy initiatives
Easing or removing restrictions on international trade, facilitating access to global financial markets. Limiting restrictions on trade and investment. Fostering the provision of all essential services and the security of property and person. Promoting and facilitating the development of all infrastructure, including transport, energy, water, and communications. Combating corruption in all its different forms. Supporting private sector initiatives in education and health. The adoption of efficient and constructive tax systems to support government activity.
Short-term Goals and initiatives for 2022
To initiate the creation of a regional network of national chapters, each registered as a company and located in the capital cities of the Southern Africa Development Community. To encourage all the region's leading private sector companies to become members and shareholders so they can participate in developing and growing the region's economies. To foster the establishment of chapters in all countries with a significant SADC Diaspora so that this community's interests are represented at home and abroad. To maintain a small executive in each country with a chapter and to use this network to support regional investment in infrastructure, serving the private sector. To support SADC governments in resolving key problems and to create an enabling environment for the private sector in southern Africa and abroad
Government Dialogue
ASBG Chapters in the SADC are engaged with their governments in seeking ways to improve the business climate in their respective countries. In addition, the ASBG seeks to eliminate infrastructure short comings that inhibit growth. The overall objective is to spur economic growth in the region to help reduce poverty and inequality using the private sector. In addition, the ASBG seeks to build sound and constructive relationships with all major trading partners. Task Forces and Working Groups: Form member-driven groups that work with their Southern African private sector counterparts to advocate policy changes for governments and to support efforts to strengthen trade and investment. These same groups to support the effort to ensure the cost effective transport of goods and services as well as the provision of all essential services such as power, water and communications. In Zimbabwe, the ASBG has already started the formation of working groups to renovate and expand regional pipeline systems for refined fuel supplies associated with storage to ensure security. In addition, a working group has been established to develop electrical energy generation to meet growing demand. A working group is planned to rehabilitate regional railway networks together with the supply of adequate capacity to transport goods. Working groups are also planned to support the rehabilitation and upgrading of road systems.
Why join the ASBG Chapter in your Country
ASBG is a business-to-business network with strong working links with regional African governments and all major trading partners. We strive to be the voice of businesses in southern Africa, participating in regional and national conversations about the economy and the way forward. We provide access to key stakeholders such as governments, think tanks, and persons of influence. Benefits of joining ASBG Our extensive network will help your company to: Explore the southern African market for the first time. Expand existing operations in the southern African region. Interface with key decision makers to address concerns or issues faced by your company. Network with other businesses in the region. Provide a platform to advocate for your interests. Provide insights not available to the public on current events and economic issues you face in the region. Endorsement for your company by a credible and recognized organization. Market entry introductions.
Our Activities
During the ASBG inaugural year, the Zimbabwean Chapter is currently undertaking the following projects: Launch a membership drive to secure initial funding of US $5 million from domestic shareholders and subscribers. Initiate discussions with all potential participants in major regional road, rail and pipeline infrastructure, as well as spearheading regional plans to ensure adequate air transport, water and electrical energy for the future. Appoint a group CEO in Zimbabwe and establish a small office to manage the affairs of the local company and, initially, the group of regional chapters. Encourage all SADC member countries to establish similar structures to represent their private sectors. Organize a trade delegation to Zimbabwe for stakeholders, as well as a delegation to Washington, DC to meet with policy makes.
The African Economy
By 2025, there will be a predicted 5.6 trillion USD worth of African business opportunities, according to a McKinsey study. ASBG is engaging international corporations in many industries and is especially focused on international investments, infrastructure, regional ports, energy supplies, road networks. Our member states boast over 350 million people and a combined formal sector GDP of 668 billion USD. Many member states are reservoirs of unique wildlife and countries are developing trans-frontier game parks and encouraging public-private sector partnerships to run wildlife parks. There are vast opportunities to invest in regional railways over the next five years to handle the anticipated growth in regional trade and economic activity. There are also investment opportunities for regional ports and shipping to accommodate the large spike in trade. We seek to recruit companies to develop a regional network of pipelines for gas and refined fuels to support the energy requirements of the region, which are expected to exceed 20 million tons a year by 2025. In addition, there are opportunities to invest in support for the installation and commissioning of 5.000 megawatts of new electrical energy every year for the foreseeable future in order to meet regional demand and growth, as well the development of water resources and distribution throughout the region.