Sassda has announced the establishment of a new Trade Desk consulting service aimed at unlocking export opportunities for its members and strengthening the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s stainless steel industry.
The decision follows insights gained during a recent Industry Stakeholder Strategic Session, where it became clear that the local stainless steel market is too constrained to support meaningful growth on its own. With domestic demand limited and state procurement under pressure, the industry continues to face structural challenges that restrict expansion. Sassda believes the answer lies beyond South Africa’s borders.
Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Tebogo Nkwe says, “We cannot rely on a constrained local market to secure the future of our industry. If we want sustainable growth, we have to look beyond our borders. The Trade Desk is about giving our members practical support to become export ready, meet international standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 3834, and allowing them to confidently compete in markets across Africa. This is not just about trade promotion. It’s about strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of South Africa’s stainless steel sector.”
Certification readiness
A central part of this export readiness drive will be helping companies achieve internationally recognised certifications such as ISO 9001 for quality management systems and ISO 3834 for welding quality requirements. These standards are often non-negotiable when bidding for large infrastructure, energy and industrial projects across borders. By guiding members through the certification process, Sassda aims to strengthen credibility, improve internal systems and position South African stainless steel fabricators as reliable suppliers in global markets.
The concept for the Trade Desk took shape toward the end of 2025, with implementation now underway. Sassda has applied to register the Trade Desk as an official export council with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). Approval would unlock funding support for export promotion initiatives such as participation in national pavilions, trade delegations and structured business-to-business engagements with potential international customers and suppliers.
In addition to certification support and market access initiatives, the Trade Desk will provide technical advice on trade regulations. This includes guidance on tariffs, import rebates and available trade remedies. The objective is twofold: to help members navigate export markets more effectively, and to support efforts to protect local manufacturers from dumped or illegally imported products that distort fair competition.
For the broader stainless steel sector, the initiative is both timely and necessary. The industry forms part of South Africa’s wider steel and manufacturing base, which has been under sustained pressure from de-industrialisation, weak economic growth and rising import penetration. The decline in industrial output continues to have knock-on effects for employment, investment and capacity utilisation across the value chain.
By promoting exports and encouraging value addition, Sassda aims to reduce the industry’s reliance on a small domestic market and inconsistent state procurement. Expanding into regional markets has the potential to stimulate production volumes, improve capacity utilisation and support job creation.
The Trade Desk also aligns with Sassda’s long-term Strategy 2030 framework. While the association cannot directly change structural constraints such as low national GDP growth, limited local procurement by state-owned enterprises, or the influx of low-cost finished stainless steel imports, these matters will continue to be addressed through ongoing advocacy and engagement with government.
For more information e-mail Tebogo@sassda.co.za