SWA heads to Africa with UK prime minister

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is accompanying UK prime minister Theresa May on her first official visit to Africa this week to “further boost” the growth of Scottish trade overseas.

The SWA will join UK prime minister Theresa May on an official visit to Africa this week

Karen Betts, CEO of the SWA, will join the prime minister in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, where they will meet businesses, policy makers and entrepreneurs in an effort to create further investment, trading and export links between the UK and the three emerging markets.

The SWA is among 29 representatives who will showcase UK business during the visit.

Earlier this month, the SWA successfully registered Scotch whisky as a trademark in South Africa, its seventh largest market by volume.

Betts said: “I’m delighted to be able to join the prime minister on this trade delegation to Africa. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the heritage, craft and quality of Scotch whisky in markets with significant potential for growth in the years ahead.

“Exports of Scotch whisky to Africa increased by over 13% last year, with double-digit growth in both South Africa and Kenya. Yet Africa accounts for just 4.5% of global Scotch whisky exports, so there is plenty of scope for further expansion.

“Importing to Africa can involve a good deal of bureaucracy as well as complex tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, which tend to stifle growth. I hope this visit will support the industry in helping remove some of these difficulties, and help Scotch to compete on a level playing field with local products.”

According to the International Monetary Fund, African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, which makes it a “significant trading and investment partner for the UK”.

May said: “Scotland’s trade outside the EU is going from strength to strength, with an increase of over £500 billion in exports to these markets earlier this year.

“Scotch whisky is known the world over for its quality and heritage, and I want to see Scottish industry make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead in the vibrant, emerging markets across Africa.”