What is SAIBL?

South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) is a three-year program to help US companies identify qualified historically disadvantaged partners in South Africa for production or service contracts, distributorships, franchising opportunities, joint ventures, or equity investment opportunities. Historically disadvantaged people comprise 89% of South Africa's population. Given the history of apartheid, bringing economic opportunity to this population is a key South African government priority.  For more information, please call (202) 835-1115, ext. 16.

How Can SAIBL Assist Your Company?

• Identify and screen qualified, historically disadvantaged companies and individuals for business partnerships based on your sector and criteria.
• Provide assistance in evaluating the feasibility or capability of a particular firm.
• Provide training or financial assistance to historically disadvantaged individuals on a cost-sharing basis (50% covered by SAIBL) that is linked to a specific business partnership. Examples of eligible assistance includes ISO 9000 certification that may be a contract requirement, or travel to the U.S. to meet with a potential partner, supplier of equipment, technology or services.
• Identify sources of financing for the importation of equipment or technology, or for securing capital for equity investments.
• Steer U.S. companies to key South African government contacts and programs, and other sources of information for doing business in South Africa.

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Typical SAIBL Deals

• Rare Thatch exported $18,000 worth of thatch and bench units to Florida based AGI Group.
• Distribution Manufacturing & Engineering (DME), a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) company owned by Nu Liner Engineering, has imported and exported $1 million worth of locomotive parts to Texas based Hitesi USA.
• Simambena Trade & Services imported locomotive parts in excess of $350,000 from Michigan based General Motors, for distribution to South African government.
• SAIBL assisted a client in South Africa to secure a three-year, $1.5 million contract for the supply of aluminum spindles used in car safety belts to a first tier supplier to CCA member Ford Motor Company. SAIBL provided 50% of the training costs for the South African company to obtain ISO 9000 certification, which was a requirement for the contract

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Contact Info

Nischal Patel, The Corporate Council on Africa
Phone: 202/835-1115   E-Mail:

* SAIBL is Funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Corporate Council on Africa 1100 17th Street, N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 835-1115 Fax: (202) 835-1117 E-mail: