Salim Abu Haniffa, Executive Director of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce–Southern Africa, joins us to discuss this "we don't see each other" paradox between Malaysia and South Africa.

He makes the case for South Africa as a critical gateway to a $1 trillion regional market, explains the vast, untapped opportunities in areas like halal and agritech, and calls for a shift from "handshake diplomacy" to "supply chain diplomacy."

We discuss:

• The current state of Malaysia-Southern Africa trade relations.

• Why South Africa is a strategic gateway to the 400-million-person Southern African Development Community (SADC) market.

• The untapped potential in the halal economy and other key sectors.

• The risk of Malaysia being "left behind" as regional peers increase engagement.

• Key recommendations for businesses to de-risk and enter the African market.

For business leaders and policymakers, this is a deep dive into the opportunities and misconceptions of doing business in Africa.

Image credit: Shutterstock