SA’s trade minister Parks Tau tests positive for Covid

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau will miss a bilateral business forum hosted by South Africa and Kenya in Midrand on Thursday, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Tau’s office confirmed his diagnosis in a brief late-night statement on Wednesday, stating he was “in good spirits” and currently in self-isolation.

“Minister Tau would like to encourage those who have been in contact with him recently to get tested and exercise precautionary measures,” the statement reads.

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Tau, whose last international trip was to the Netherlands for the World Hydrogen Summit in May, would have officiated at Thursday’s gathering where business leaders and senior government officials are set to focus on deepening economic cooperation between SA and Kenya.

The forum will be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.

Prior to contracting Covid-19, Tau had described the event as key to unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries.

“South Africa and Kenya are both well positioned to harness the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for improved trade growth, complementary regional gateways and job creating investments that has potential to drive continental integration” he added, noting that preferential trade between South Africa and Kenya has shown steady growth.

Kenya is among South Africa’s top destinations, alongside Ghana and Egypt.

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Total trade between South Africa and Kenya increased from R9.3 billion in 2016 to R10.5 billion in 2025, registering an average growth rate of 3.5% over the period.

The CEOs of companies currently operating in the South African and Kenyan markets and banking chiefs from both nations will also be in attendance in a renewed focus on finance and technology, agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing and infrastructure development.

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