Scottish Africa Business Association Reports Expanded Trade, Advisory and Market Activity in 2025

The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of strong growth, increased member engagement, and expanded strategic activity across Scotland, London, and Africa. The report demonstrates SABA’s growing impact in facilitating market access, advisory services, trade missions, and high-level business and policy engagement.

During the year, SABA delivered an extensive programme of activity, including outward trade missions, inward delegations, hydrogen-focused roundtables, executive briefings, and its flagship Scotland London Africa Week. Membership expanded across key sectors such as energy, education and skills training, agriculture, maritime, and digital innovation, with rising participation from both Scottish organisations and African partners.

SABA also strengthened its advisory offering through SABA Consult, providing Scottish companies and institutions with market intelligence, sector research, and tailored introductions across priority African markets. This expansion reflects growing demand for practical, insight-driven support to help organisations navigate new international opportunities.

Scotland’s total international exports were valued at an estimated £37.7 billion in 2023 across goods and services. While exports to Africa currently represent a relatively small share of this total—examples include exports to Nigeria of approximately £5.6 million during a recent reporting period—interest in African markets is increasing. Around 11,000 Scottish businesses export internationally, and recent surveys show that nearly 30% of Scottish mid-sized firms identify Africa as a target for new trade routes, signalling rising momentum for engagement across the continent.

Frazer Lang, Chief Executive Officer of SABA, said:

“This year has demonstrated the strong appetite among Scottish companies to explore African markets and the depth of partnerships emerging as a result. SABA is helping businesses turn ambition into action through market insight, in-country access, and practical introductions that accelerate commercial conversations. With a strong pipeline of trade missions and delegations ahead, we are well positioned to deepen Scotland’s role in African markets.”

Seona Shand, Chief Operating Officer, added:

“Our priority has been delivering tangible value for members and making engagement with African markets more accessible, informed, and strategic. Growth in membership and participation across our programmes shows that organisations are seeking trusted guidance and clear pathways into these markets. As we continue to expand platforms such as SABA Briefings and SABA Consult, we look forward to supporting even more meaningful connections and commercial outcomes.”

Looking Ahead

In the year ahead, SABA will:

• Expand its outward trade mission programme to North, West, and East Africa

• Increase inward delegations to Scotland, enabling direct engagement with African partners

• Scale Scotland London Africa Week as a flagship platform for market insight and networking

• Deepen sector focus across energy, hydrogen, agriculture and aquaculture, ports and maritime, infrastructure, and education and skills training

• Further enhance member support through SABA Consult

SABA’s Annual Report underscores continued demand from Scottish organisations for international growth support and positions Africa as a high-potential region for partnership and investment—aligned with Scotland’s strengths in energy, skills development, and innovation.