Global Trade Alliance is a South African company that aims to bring African businesses together by dismantling fragmented networks that often become barriers to success.
As businesses across the continent struggle with market access, inefficient supply chains, and bureaucratic barriers, Andrew Du Preez saw an opportunity to bridge that gap by connecting companies across borders and enabling seamless trade without adding unnecessary overhead costs.
“Global Trade Alliance is headquartered in South Africa but operates internationally, facilitating cross-border trade by linking exporters and importers. We do not use warehouses or handle logistics. Instead, we streamline direct connections, allowing businesses to scale and expand independently,” Andrew explains.
School of Hard Knocks
Growing up in South Africa, Andrew did not study anything to do with entrepreneurship, although he had always been drawn to the idea of starting his own business.
“From an early age, I was drawn to the idea of business as a means to create not just personal success, but systemic change. My journey into entrepreneurship was unconventional,” he says.
“I did not follow the traditional academic route, but rather immersed myself in real-world business environments, learning through experience, strategic networking, and relentless problem-solving. I went to the school of Hard Knocks and honestly, I am still at that school.
“What I lacked in formal qualifications, I made up for in vision, execution, and an unshakable ability to connect people and businesses. My journey has been defined by my ability to recognize overlooked opportunities and to bring people together to unlock value.”
Bringing Africa Together
Andrew was inspired to established Global Trade Alliance by the desire to address a fundamental issue in Africa’s economic landscape. Disjointed trade networks have become a barrier to intra-continental trade and Andrew and his team are determined to change this picture.
However, with the African business landscape constantly shifting dramatically, especially in recent years, Andrew is well aware of the rise of digital trade and has positioned his company to benefit from technological advancemnet.
“We are witnessing the rise of digital trade, localized manufacturing and intra-African commerce through agreements like AfCFTA. The demand for sustainable supply chains, fintech-driven transactions, and decentralized trade models has never been higher.
“To stay ahead, we prioritize partnering with key players across industries to ensure access to emerging opportunities, Leveraging AI, blockchain, and digital platforms to enhance efficiency and transparency in trade.
“We have also developed the ability to pivot quickly, embracing new models in order to stay ahead of shifting global and local trends. Success in this landscape demands anticipation rather than reaction and that is exactly how we operate.”
Going Past Challenges
As an entrepreneur, Andrew has faced a lot of challenges. He has not allowed any of them to overwhelm him, however, and has instead drawn very important lessons while overcoming the obstacles that have come his way.
Andrew describes breaking into industries and markets dominated by legacy players as a major challenge he often found himself confronted with, especially when he was still trying to make a name for himslef in the industry.
“One of my biggest challenges was breaking into industries and markets dominated by legacy players. Many large corporations and institutions are slow to embrace new models, and navigating their red tape can be frustrating.
“I overcame this by proving value before asking for validation. Instead of seeking permission, I focused on execution, building networks, and delivering results that could not be ignored.
“Another challenge was scaling operations without compromising agility. The lesson here was leverage over ownership—by structuring my business as a facilitator rather than a middleman, I could expand rapidly without the burden of asset-heavy investments.”
Breaking Barriers
Looking back, Andrew remembers how some of the most notable success stories and projects have demonstrated not only his entrepreneurship acumen but also the positive impact Global Trade Alliance has had in Africa and beyond.
“The Bridging the African Trade Gap Series with Investec initiative brings together high-net-worth producers from across Africa, fostering key trade relationships that result in multi-million-dollar deals.
“Through my role in the Youth Commission at the Global Federation of Chambers, I have created platforms to connect disadvantaged young talent with employment opportunities, ensuring real, tangible impact in economic empowerment.
He also explains the positive impact that his company had had in countries such as Kenya and South Africa.
“I am currently leading a strategic growth plan for a company in the organic food space, positioning them for local and international expansion. We are also listing Kenya Nut Company, the largest nut producer on the continent’s products in Shoprite South Africa to ensure a route to market on a retail level.”
‘It’s How You Collaborate’
A devoted Christian, Andrew encourages other entrepreneurs chasing their dreams to always be aware of the changing trends in their industry so that they are able to remain relevant.
“Success is not about what you have. It is about who you know and how you collaborate. When starting, start lean. Focus on proof of concept and cash flow before scaling operations.
“A good entrepreneur is relentlessly adaptive. Industries evolve. If you resist change, you will become irrelevant. If your business isn’t filling a critical gap, it won’t survive. You must execute and avoid overthinking. Too many people get stuck in analysis paralysis. The market rewards action over perfection,” Andrew concludes.
