Post-apartheid South Africa and African continental integration : the contribution of South African multinational corporations to integration in Africa

Abstract

This article argues that while South Africa’s post-apartheid foreign policy on Africa has largely emphasized state-led continental political and economic integration, the country’s Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have led in the practical articulation of integration as an integral part of their expansion strategies in search for increased market share and the establishment of new markets on the continent. It assesses the intersection between South Africa’s foreign policy on Africa’s integration and the role of the country’s MNCs. The article adopts a three-part juxtaposition approach to determine the convergence between South Africa’s foreign policy goal of continental integration with the case studies of expansion strategies pursued by two of the country’s MNCs namely, Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Standard Bank) and Shoprite Holdings Limited (Shoprite). African Union member states should ensure that they design foreign policies that align the interests of MNCs with national and continental goals of integration.