Africa and I.O. Islands Business Connection (Pty) Ltd

Introducing manufacturers and suppliers to customers, importers and distributors throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean islands

What We Do

For Manufacturers
We provide food and beverage manufacturers with new export-market opportunities, and work with reliable importers-distributors in the 54 African and Indian Ocean Islands markets.

For Importers / Distributors
We provide importers-distributors in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands with food and beverage products relevant to their markets. These products are sourced directly from manufacturers, across the world.

Manufacturer Services

  • Partnering with manufacturers by assessing and analysing products and markets, making sure each product is suited to its export-market.
  • Advising on current market environments and conditions.
  • Consulting on African market opportunities: modern retail; wholesale; and informal trade sectors.
  • Introducing products to well-established, reputable and reliable distributors, in all three sectors.
  • Conducting market assessments, conducting trade visits, and compiling reports.
  • Organising product launches, product and developing brands by implementing short, medium & long-term strategies.
  • Liaising with distributors and local advertising companies for BTL / ATL campaigns.
  • Monitoring the complete supply chain - route-to-market distribution and stock control of our clients' products in market.

Importers / Distributors Services

  • Sourcing food, beverage, household and personal care products for importers-distributors.
  • Facilitating the direct supply of product from manufacturers.
  • Sourcing innovative products at international trade shows.
  • Assessing product on behalf of importers-distributors to ensure quality and import compliance.
  • Assessing manufacturers on behalf of importers-distributors to ensure reliability and professionalism.
  • Monitoring the complete supply chain - route-to-market distribution and stock control to avoid 'out of stock' situations.
  • Collaborating with importers-distributors and manufacturers for sustained, long-term order forecasts.

What We Offer

Direct From The Manufacturer

Europe

  • Liquorice, Chocolate, and many other confectionery products
  • Health Snacks, Cereal Bars, Muesli and Cereals
  • Baby Foods
  • Pasta
  • Flour
  • Biscuits - Sweet and Savoury (Vegan, Gluten, Lactose and Sugar Free available too)
  • Potato Chips (Crisps) and other savoury Snacks (Pretzels etc.)
  • Cold Meats, Cured and Smoked Meats and Chorizo
  • Canned Meats (Luncheon Meats, Corned Beef, Sausages etc.)
  • Fresh / Frozen Meats: Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Fish, other
  • Frozen Vegetable products, French Fries, etc.
  • Dairy Products - Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese, Ice-Cream
  • Olive Oil and Vinegar
  • Coffe, Tea, Iced Teas & Coffees, Herbal Teas and Hot Chocolate
  • Apple Cider and Liqueurs (Apfelschnapps)
  • French Champagne
  • Wines: Sparkling, Organic, Alcohol-Free
  • Fruit juice, Sparkling, 100% fruit Juice, Organic Fruit Juice
  • Bottled Water
  • Kids Beverage Refreshments
  • Personal Care (Condoms)
  • Pet food (Dry & Canned)

Africa & Indian Ocean Islands

  • Nuts and Dried Fruit, Cereal & Seed Bars
  • Biscuits and Confectionery (Sweets, Chewing Gum included)
  • Sugar Free Chocolate
  • Rice and Corn Cakes
  • Instant Noodles
  • Maize Meal / Corn Flour
  • Canned vegetables and Spaghetti & Meatballs
  • Sauces (Including Tomato Sauce and Mayonnaise)
  • Fruit Juice, Vitamin Waters, Herbal Teas
  • Flavoured Milk
  • Ice-Cream
  • Tea from Rwanda
  • Island Punch and Rum
  • Personal Care Products (Sanitary Pads and Skin / Hair Care)
  • Paper Products

Rest of the World

  • Chilli, Jalapeno, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Capers
  • Tomato Paste
  • Canned Tuna / Rice from Thailand
  • Canned Corn and other Vegetables
  • Canned Fruit (Pineapple included)
  • Jasmine Rice from Vietnam
  • Coffee from Vietnam
  • Tea, Herbs and Spices from Sri Lanka
  • Plant based Milk (Soya, Almond, Oat, Coconut)
  • Fruit Juice, Coconut Waters
  • Ice-Cream

About Us

FOOD, IN ALL ITS DIFFERENT SHAPES AND TEXTURES, IS WHAT KEEPS US GOING. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE WE LIVE IN THE WORLD.

The most fascinating aspect of food is how it is transformed, processed, prepared and served in the different regions of the world.

The world has such a wide variety of foods and these can now be found across the globe, thanks of companies like ours.

Although Africa and Indian Ocean Islands Business Connection (Pty) Ltd (AIOIBC) had only been established in 2016, the commercialisation and transport of food has been on our minds for many years.

Our aspirations started in Central Africa, in the 1970s, where we negotiated and bought 50 kg bags of Manioc (dried Casava Root) and peanuts up river (previously called the Zaire River). We then brought the bags down river by commercial river boats to the port of Kinshasa, Congo's capital. From there the bags were sold to traders who would resell them to wholesalers and consumers in the local markets.

Since then we have learned valuable lessons working in various international markets - from North America, across Europe to Asia back through to the Indian Ocean Islands and Africa - and have realised how different markets are.

But, what has impressed us the most is the globalisation of certain products, such as the Belgian beer trade which produces over 700 different beers! Belgian beers were not well-known outside the country in the 1980s, but they now enjoy worldwide recognition, from any London pub to tropical islands halfway around the world.

Multinational companies have taught us that well-known chocolate and beverage brands could be sold in Swaziland, Mozambique and Zambia. They have also taught us that established supermarkets in East Africa and West Africa have well-travelled consumers who want more than just local food and beverage offerings. Today’s media-exposed, health-conscious consumers, from Cameroon to Mayotte, want gluten- and sugar-free products.

While we have become somewhat jaded with well-known, international brands which are available everywhere, the lesser-known local brands have started making inroads to new export markets. Who would have thought that instant noodles from Mauritius could be exported across the globe?

Mauritius produces some of the most amazing, affordable confectionary, as does Zimbabwe. Ghana produces some of the best chocolate spread, while Rwanda and Tanzania have a superb selection of teas.

Africa has so much to offer the world and the world has so much to offer Africa.

After a brief stint of Indian Ocean Island hopping, savouring local delicacies from Reunion to Mauritius to Seychelles, we decided it was time to return to our roots, in Africa. "You can take an African out of Africa, but you cannot take Africa out of an African."

Although we are based in Fourways, Johannesburg in South Africa, we travel extensively and can source any of these products and so much more for you, our valued customers.