Gov. Tony Evers will lead a Wisconsin trade delegation to Ghana and South Africa later this month, marking his fourth international economic mission since taking office in 2018.
The mission, organized with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), will spotlight existing commercial ties between Wisconsin firms and the two African economies while pursuing new export, investment and partnership opportunities.
Africa’s population — now topping 1.5 billion and the youngest and fastest-growing in the world — represents one of the few regions where demographic growth, economic development and rising consumer demand are converging simultaneously, positioning it as an increasingly significant market for U.S. exporters.
“During a time of global trade uncertainty and chaos out of Washington, this trade mission will be critical to continuing to build on our global partnerships and promote Wisconsin as a place where industries can grow their businesses now and well into the future,” Evers said.
Among the delegation’s planned visits is Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd., Ghana’s largest cocoa processor, which operates its North American manufacturing facility in Franklin, Wisconsin. This partnership is the largest African foreign direct investment project in the food and beverage industry in the U.S. Additionally, South Africa hosts a large concentration of Wisconsin business activity, including exports of industrial machinery, medical devices, agricultural products and specialized manufacturing inputs. While in the country, Evers is scheduled to meet with Wisconsin firms already operating in the market, along with government officials, to discuss further economic opportunities.
WEDC Secretary and CEO John Miller, who ran a family manufacturing business that exported to South Africa, said the trip reinforces ties that already generate measurable returns. “Through trade relationships, distribution partnerships and investment opportunities, Wisconsin companies operating in these two markets contribute to job creation, technology transfer and economic growth while strengthening the state’s commercial ties across Africa,” Miller said.
The Evers administration has previously led trade delegations to Japan (2019), Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (2023), and Germany and France (2025).
