South Africa has appointed a new Honorary Consul in the UK, it was announced on Wednesday. An Honorary Consul serves to promote South African exports to the country (or a specific region within a country) in which he or she is based, act as contact person for visiting South African businesspeople, distribute general information on South Africa, and represent the country at receptions and other functions.

The new Honorary Consul is businessman Bassim Haidar. Born in Nigeria, he is the founder of mobile financial services and fintech company Optasia, which is active in 30 countries. He also has agribusiness interests in South Africa.

“It’s a great privilege to have been appointed as the new Honorary Consul for South Africa,” he said. “A key focus for my new role is to facilitate the exchange of medical and scientific innovation from the UK for the benefit of South Africa, as well as introducing South African intellectual property and innovation to the UK. Another aim is to actively engage with regional educational institutions to initiate bi-lateral programmes focused on academic and cultural exchange.”

“2024 is a key year for South Africa as we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of multiracial democratic elections,” highlighted South African High Commissioner (Ambassador) to the UK Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo. “The UK has always been a steadfast ally as we transformed to a true democracy and we hope the strong trade, educational and cultural links that bind us together, become even stronger with Mr Haidar’s new appointment.”

Haidar’s first major official activity as Honorary Consul was to accompany the High Commissioner on a visit to the East of England region. This region is the second-largest importer of South African goods, and the second largest exporter of goods to South Africa, in the UK. In 2022, the region imported £1.1-billion of South African goods, and exported £207-million in goods to South Africa.

“In the UK, the East of England is a real trading powerhouse with South Africa and I want to use my global business experience to make these trade links stronger,” affirmed Haidar. “To this end, I look forward to engaging with businesses, politicians and universities in my new role and establishing how best we can work together to strengthen the historic and treasured ties between the UK and South Africa.”