Comesa

Regional alliances of African countries have one goal in common: to increase economic cohesion and so improve the lives of citizens, as sovereign nations align their priorities to achieve a wider prosperity.

Speaking at a seminar organised by Brand South Africa and the Department of Trade and Industry, Andre Groenewald from the Department of International Relations said Africa's star was rising, as the continent's natural resources give it a competitive edge in the global economy.

South Africa ranks at a respectable 53rd in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report. It is second among the Brics countries, and many aspects of its financial sector are the best in the world.

International economists predict steady growth in the South African economy over the next year, one sign that the country is increasingly competitive globally – and is attracting substantial interest from Chinese investors.

African trade efficiency is set for a major boost when three regional economic communities sign an agreement in June to establish an enlarged free trade area encompassing 26 countries – roughly half of the member states of the African Union, stretching from Cape to Cairo.