Proudly South African, in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), recently unveiled ground-breaking e-commerce solutions designed to boost public and commercial support for locally manufactured goods and services.
These e-commerce solutions consist of a business-to-consumer online store aptly named Shop Proudly SA, and a business-to-business (B2B) online platform known as the Market Access Platform (MAP).
MAP gives corporate buyers—especially those aiming to meet their localisation targets—access to a database of over 2,000 vetted and accredited enterprises across various industries, all approved by Proudly South African.
On the other hand, Shop Proudly SA allows consumers to seamlessly and securely source and purchase exclusively locally manufactured goods and services, all under one virtual roof and at the click of a button. 
Proudly South African Chief Executive Officer Eustace Mashimbye said the launch of these platforms aims to address the high failure rate of small and medium-sized businesses in South Africa.
“We believe that e-commerce has immense potential to overcome traditional barriers to trade and create new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. Through this intervention, we are harnessing technology as a catalyst for ramping up support for home-grown products and for companies whose manufacturing infrastructure and operations create jobs locally,” he said.
He added that the goal is to make it seamless for consumers and supply chain practitioners to source from local companies, while also enabling them to meet their procurement objectives.
Mashimbye noted that a further benefit of Shop Proudly SA and MAP is that they give entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their market reach beyond geographical boundaries—without the capital investment needed for a brick-and-mortar outlet.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau agreed:
“These platforms will help boost support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), promote locally manufactured goods and services, create much-needed jobs, and enhance the resilience of our economy.”
To use Shop Proudly SA, visit: www.shop.proudlysa.co.za
For more information about MAP, visit: www.proudlysa.co.za
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