About us
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Southern Africa (AHK Southern Africa) is part of the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) with 150 locations in 93 countries. It was founded in 1952 and since then has supported around 600 member companies in their international business as an important platform for bilateral economic exchange.
AHKs in Germany are closely linked to the network of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs). Together, IHKs and AHKs support German companies in establishing and expanding their business relations with foreign countries.
The umbrella organisation of the IHKs is the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), which also coordinates and supports the AHK network.
The close cooperation with the German trade associations also ensures that the AHKs are networked close to the companies and markets.
Based on a resolution of the German Bundestag, the AHKs are pro rata supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.
AHKs combine three functions at their locations
Official Representative of the German Economy
AHKs are the central players in German foreign trade promotion on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany. They represent German business interests at their locations. They provide information about and promote Germany as a business location.
Membership organization
The AHKs gather around them the companies that are active in bilateral economic relations. These members lend weight and voice to the AHK when it acts vis-à-vis politics, business and administration to promote bilateral economic relations.
Service providers for companies
Under the service brand "DEinternational", AHKs offer companies from Germany and the host country services to support their foreign trade business activities.
AHK South Africa Gender Equality Plan 2022
South Africa’s definition of and goals towards achieving gender equality are guided by a vision of human rights which incorporates acceptance of equal and inalienable rights of all women and men. This ideal is a fundamental tenet under the Bill of Rights of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996). It emerged from a long period of struggle for a democratic society that respects and promotes the rights of all its citizens irrespective of race, gender, class, age, disability, etc. (Bill of Rights, Sections 9.1 to 9.4).
The Gender Policy Framework (Kornegay, n.d.) established guidelines for South Africa as a nation to take action to remedy the historical legacy by defining new terms of reference for interacting with each other in both the private and public spheres, and by proposing and recommending an institutional framework that facilitates equal access to opportunities for both women and men.
The Chamber aims to address Gender Equality by harnessing the skills, backgrounds and experiences of those within South Africa’s diverse population.
We are well positioned to embed gender equality into the fabric of the Chamber with women representing 55% of the total employees.
See detailed SAGCC Gender Equity Plan outlined HERE