LIMPOPO – Fourteen dynamic Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from Limpopo have recently showcased their innovative products and services at the 2025 Intra-Africa Trade Forum (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria.
The exhibitors, selected from a pool of applicants for the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) market access programme, represented the province’s diverse industries, including toilet paper production, film-making, organic salt innovation, and fashion design.
The IATF 2025 provided a platform for these SMMEs to unlock new markets, grow their export footprint, and attract potential investors.
According to Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, the initiative demonstrates the province’s commitment to promoting SMME growth as a solution to reducing poverty and unemployment.
Many of these SMMEs employed between two and three staff members, while the largest employed around 30 people, highlighting their potential to scale and create jobs with the right partnerships and contracts.
Limpopo fashion designer, Machaya Selepe, of Royal Wardrobe, expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will have an unimaginable impact on my company, my family, and Limpopo. With some of the potential deals we are pursuing, my company’s growth and the employment of more staff are guaranteed.”
Film and documentary producer, Fortunate Mamoepa from FM Productions, added: “We believe that our film and documentary-making opportunities have huge potential because of Limpopo’s amazing climate and rich biodiversity. I am confident that we will clinch life-changing co-production deals with other African counterparts based on our nature and tourism offering alone.”
During her official visit to the Limpopo exhibition stand, Premier Ramathuba encouraged the entrepreneurs to seize every networking opportunity presented at IATF 2025.
“We are indebted to the partnership from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Small Enterprises Development and Finance Agency who made it possible for us to bring these entrepreneurs. We believe that with these exposures, their enterprises would find a launch pad for future sustainability,” she said.
The participation of these exhibitors is a clear signal that inclusive growth is at the center of Limpopo’s trade and investment outlook.
From sustainable production practices to biodiversity-driven film opportunities, these businesses are positioning themselves as future leaders in Africa’s interconnected economy.
The IATF 2025 was expected to facilitate over $44 billion in trade and investment deals, making it a significant platform for African businesses to grow and thrive.
Furthermore, the Limpopo delegation’s presence at the IATF 2025 demonstrated the province’s commitment to promoting economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
With the support of LEDA and other partners, these SMMEs are well on their way to achieving their goals and contributing to the province’s economic development.