Frequently Asked Questions

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  • When and why was the USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub created?

    In 2001, US President George Bush announced that the US Government would establish three regional Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness to help African businesses sell more of their products on the global markets. The Southern Africa Trade Hub was the first to be established in Gaborone, Botswana. Other Trade Hubs are in Accra, Ghana for West Africa and Nairobi, Kenya for East Africa.

    Primarily the Trade Hubs were created to enhance Southern Africa’s trade competitiveness and take greater advantage of opportunities provided through the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and other global trade initiatives.

    Through concurrent projects, the Trade Hub has continued its work uninterrupted since 2001. In 2010, a new contract was awarded through USAID and the name of the Southern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub changed to the USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub.

  • What is the Trade Hub?

    The USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub is a central point where Southern Africans can gain access to US, regional and international markets through business linkages, capacity building services and problem-solving trade facilitation.

  • Why was a Trade Hub created for Southern Africa?

    By all indications, trade between Southern Africa and the United States is delivering unprecedented financial gains and endless promising opportunities. Thousands of Southern African and US businesses are leading the way, and every day others join the movement.

    Yet for many business people – both in Southern Africa and in the US – expanding their business by embarking into new international markets is daunting or, at the least, complicated.

    The USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub – delivers what these business people need:

    • Results-producing links to viable trade and investment opportunities.

    • Expertise and commitment to overcome obstacles that block success.

  • Why is SATH located in Gaborone, Botswana?

    When the Trade Hub was first established, the USAID Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) was located in Gaborone and provided the overall coordination of the initiative. USAID’s regional program, USAID|Southern Africa, has since relocated to South Africa, but SATH remained in Botswana where the headquarters of its main strategic partner, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is also located.

  • Who would benefit from working with SATH?

    Ultimately, because increased trade provides an overall strengthening of the economy, all Southern Africans benefit from the work of SATH and its partners. In addition, there are also benefits to the United States as it increases its investments and partnership in trade with Southern African businesses.

    SATH stakeholders include:

    • Southern African private sector businesses

    • Industry associations

    • Customs and other regulatory agencies

    • Government officials

    • Transport operators and regulators

    • United States businesses and investors

    • US customs and regulatory agencies

  • What services does SATH offer?

    SATH advisors provide assistance related to, among others:

    • AGOA export business development

    • Trade policy capacity building

    • Customs and trade facilitation

    • Transport corridor efficiency

    • Increased competition and private investment in energy and telecommunications

    • SPS/Food safety standards for agricultural trade

    • Information exchange and outreach

    • Service sectors involved in cross-border trade

  • How does one contact SATH?

    Visit the Contact Us  page for our contact details as well as a map to our offices.

  • Does SATH provide grants?

    Yes, the SATH Grants program will help finance results-oriented activities that support the overall project objectives and intermediate results. Grants will be issued to regional businesses, private sector players, as well as professional and trade associations on an as-needed basis to realize project objectives.

    Visit our Grants Section for more information.

  • Where does SATH work?

    The USAID Southern Africa Trade Hub focuses on regional projects and initiatives across the SADC region: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zambia.