ABERDEEN, Scotland, January 12, 2026/APO Group: The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has released its Annual Report for 2025, stressing a year marked by expansion, increased member activity, and strategic engagement across Scotland, London, and Africa.
The report reveals tangible impact across market access, advisory support, inward and outward trade missions, as well as high-level convening.
Among key highlights, SABA has delivered an ambitious programme of activity, such as trade missions, inward delegations, hydrogen roundtables, executive briefings, and its flagship Scotland London Africa Week. The past year also witnessed a growth in membership spanning across sectors, including energy, education & skills training, agriculture, maritime, and digital innovation, with increased participation from both Scottish organisations and African partners.
SABA also expanded its advisory capabilities through SABA Consult, which supported Scottish companies and institutions with market intelligence, sector research and tailored introductions across priority markets.
In 2023, Scotland’s total international exports were valued at an estimated £37.7 billion across goods and services, where data shows exports to Africa constitute a small share of overall trade, with countries in Africa, such as Nigeria, recorded as a Scottish export destination, though comparatively modest in value. Exports to Nigeria were reported at around £5.6 million in a recent period.
Around 11,000 Scottish businesses export internationally (out of a total of roughly 346,000 businesses), showing the scale of international engagement across all markets. In recent surveys, about 30 percent of Scottish mid-sized firms identify Africa as a target for new trade routes, underlining rising interest in the continent among companies seeking overseas growth.
Chief Executive Officer of SABA, Frazer Lang, said: “This year has demonstrated the appetite among Scottish companies to explore African markets and the strength of partnerships that are emerging as a result. Our work is helping businesses turn ambition into action, whether through market insight, in-country access, or practical introductions that help accelerate commercial conversations. With growing member engagement and a clear pipeline of trade missions and delegations for the year ahead, SABA is well-positioned to deepen Scotland’s role in these markets and support businesses in pursuing international opportunities.”
While the Chief Operating Officer, Seona Shand, added: “Our focus this year has been on delivering value for members and making market engagement easier, more informed, and more strategic. The growth in membership and participation across our programmes shows that companies want practical pathways into African markets and trusted guidance along the way. As we expand our platforms, including SABA Briefings and SABA Consult, we look forward to helping even more organisations connect, build relationships, and unlock new commercial outcomes.”
