The estimated trade exchange between Poland and African countries in 2021 amounted to almost $8 billion; an almost 30 percent growth compared to 2021, and according to Ministry for Development and Technology, Poland’s export potential to Africa is around $200 billion
The Polish-African Economic Forum, as part of the 2022 World Expo, took place in Dubai on Monday. Almost 250 representatives from governments, institutions and businesses from Poland and 21 African states were in attendance.
“It was the first time in the history of world expositions that African countries have been so represented. This, among other things, is what encouraged us to use Poland’s presence in Dubai to strongly promote our economy, products and investment possibilities in Africa,” said the head of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, Krzysztof Drynda.
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He pointed out that Africa was the second most populous continent and the first one when it came to birthrate.
“This is an enormous African economy which has huge slumbering potential. And yet, it still seems that Poland’s presence there is too small,” he emphasized and added that the Polish-African forum was an excellent opportunity to establish new business contacts.
Drynda explained that four areas were considered as part of cooperation: food security and the agri-food sector; energy transformation; infrastructure (construction of roads, bridges and water systems); and the medicine sector (the construction of hospitals and telemedicine).
“The most intensive trade exchange usually takes place with North African countries such as Morocco, Egypt but also Nigeria in which we have recorded very high growth,” he said.
According to Grzegorz Piechowiak, the Polish deputy minister for development and technology, Poland has a huge potential to offer Africa services and products.
“We have economic potential; we have the ability to affect Africa’s economy. The current trade level does not reflect Poland’s potential, which is one of the world’s largest economies. We perceive Africa as a very prospective direction for development in many areas of the economy,” he noted.
Piechowiak estimated that Poland’s export potential is around $200 billion — around 60 times higher than it is currently. He also said he believes that Poland’s efforts would soon bear fruit.
