New export opportunities are emerging for South African manufacturers at the Feira Internacional de Angola (FILDA) 2026, where companies backed by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) are already reporting strong interest from buyers, government institutions and potential business partners.
The South African delegation participated in the six-day trade exhibition, which ends today in Luanda. The participating companies represent the agro-processing, steel and metal fabrication, engineering and mining, and chemicals sectors.
FILDA is Angola’s largest international multi-sector trade exhibition, providing companies with a platform to showcase products, establish business partnerships, attract investment and explore export opportunities across Africa and beyond.
South African firms attract buyer interest
Cubicle Solutions, a manufacturer of toilet and shower cubicles, lockers and benches for commercial facilities, says it has already attracted strong interest from potential customers and government stakeholders.
Chief Executive Officer Sue Lammas said the exhibition is opening new opportunities to expand the company’s footprint in Angola and other African markets.
“This is a significant opportunity to expand our offerings, and we are excited about bringing our products and solutions to the Angolan market and other markets across Africa,” said Lammas.
She added that the company, which already exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria and Botswana, has received enquiries from the government regarding potential projects during the exhibition.
Engineering firm Getzz Projects Engineering also described the exhibition as one of its most successful international showcases.
Hydraform targets construction and mining markets
Managing Director Eldridge Hendricks said the company had received encouraging interest from businesses in Luanda as well as potential clients from Portugal.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the firm, with visitors showing great enthusiasm for the company’s offerings,” Hendricks said.
Hydraform, which manufactures hydraulic compression machines that produce interlocking building blocks using compressed soil and cement, is using the exhibition to expand its presence in Angola’s mining and property development sectors.
Sales Engineer Aphelele Kali said the company has already supplied its technology to non-governmental organisations, government institutions and entrepreneurs in Angola and currently seeking additional partnerships.
“We aim to expand our presence in Angola by targeting the mining sector and property developers. We are eager to secure new partnerships and orders during the exhibition,” Kali said.
She added that the company has already received interest from an existing Angolan customer seeking to upgrade to a higher-capacity production plant for a school construction project.
The dtic said participation at international trade exhibitions forms part of government’s export promotion strategy aimed at helping South African manufacturers diversify export markets, increase foreign sales and strengthen regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
