The Eastern Cape is famous for international trade. From the busy car shipping docks in Gqeberha to the massive fruit farms in the Sundays River Valley, our province knows how to sell to the world. But today, global trade is changing. It is becoming more digital and fast-moving.
At the core of our organisation has always been a simple understanding: exports are a critical contributor to our economy, yes, of course, but also to our greater society. When local businesses successfully sell to the world, they do not just boost our country’s GDP. They invest directly back into our communities, create meaningful employment opportunities, and prove on a global stage that South Africa is a place worth investing in.
Lately, our team has been thinking a lot about who will drive this contribution next. When we look at the future of trade in the Eastern Cape, the answer is clear: it lies with our youth. This is exactly why Exporters Eastern Cape is introducing an exciting new category to this year’s Exporter of the Year Awards: the Youth Entrepreneur Emerging Exporter Award.
This category is specifically designed to celebrate companies founded and run by an owner younger than 25 years of age, who has been exporting or supporting the export industry for less than two years.
Consider the numbers for a moment. Africa has the youngest population in the entire world, with over 60% of people on the continent under the age of 25. Yet, closer to home, our youth face a severe unemployment crisis, with nearly half of our young workforce struggling to find a job. The traditional path of employment is no longer enough. We need a shift, and that shift happens when young people step up to create businesses that do not just serve their local neighbourhoods, but the global market.
Stepping into international trade as a young person takes an immense amount of courage. The barriers to entry are high, and the challenges are very real. When you are new to the game, you often operate without the large financial backing, the decades of experience, or the deep networks that older, established companies take for granted. Navigating customs paperwork, transport logistics, and foreign laws in your first two years of business can feel completely overwhelming.
But the younger generation also brings something completely unique to the table. They are digital natives who inherently understand e-commerce, digital platforms, and how to connect with people online across borders. They are agile, they pivot quickly, and they naturally care about sustainability, which is exactly what international buyers are looking for right now.
Because the obstacles are daunting, organisations like Exporters Eastern Cape have a profound responsibility to support youth in business on this journey. We know that we cannot simply ask young people to help save the economy without giving them the tools to do it. True empowerment cannot just be about giving out a trophy once a year. It has to be about creating a lasting ecosystem of support.
For us, that means providing practical training on how export laws and taxes work. It means intentionally pairing young entrepreneurs under 25 with business mentors who can pass down hard-earned industry knowledge. Most importantly, it means opening doors to international networks and trade shows that might otherwise feel completely out of reach.
Exporters Eastern Cape will soon launch its Export Development Programme, a structured initiative designed to equip Eastern Cape businesses – including youth-owned enterprises – with the skills, knowledge and support needed to compete successfully in international markets. The programme will guide participating companies through a comprehensive export journey, including business assessment, commercial acceleration, export readiness training, mentorship, market intelligence, compliance support and access to local and international market opportunities.
As we look forward to our annual awards evening on 6 November, our message to the next generation of business leaders is simple: your voice, your energy, and your ideas matter to the future of this province. If you are under 25 and have spent the last two years or less pushing your products past our borders or building the services that help others do so, we want to see you. The Eastern Cape economy needs your fearlessness to future-proof its place in the world. Let us stand behind you, walk the journey with you, and help you take your local innovations to the global stage.
For more information on the Exporters Development Programme or the Exporter of the Year awards, visit www.exportersec.co.za. Entries for the Awards close 7 August.
By Quintin Levey, Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman
Published in The Herald, July 2026
