About the SADC Trade Database

Southern African Trade Database: 2006 country trade data

The revision process that was carried out on the 2006 Southern African trade data has been completed. The 2006 data (for most of the SADC member states) are back online - please visit the database at http://www.sadctrade.org/tradedata. If you have questions around the Southern African trade database, please contact Mbofholowo Tsedu, at mbofholowo@tips.org.za or +27 12 431 7900 (tel) or +27 12 431 7910 (fax).

The SADC Trade database is an online database consisting of the import and export data of 11 Southern African states. The database has been compiled from data provided by member states.

The initial dataset includes data for the following countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Data is published for 6 years: in most cases this covers the period 2000-2006, but for two countries, Swaziland for the period 2000-2004, Lesotho for the period 1999-2003 is covered. These will be updated as soon as more recent data is made available.

Measures for the data include values in local currency as well as US dollars. Quantity data is also available in some instances.

In addition to collecting the SADC member states' trade data and hosting it in a user-friendly database, TIPS has also developed a number of Analytical Templates that allow researchers to calculate a variety of measures by simply pushing a button. Thus, inexperienced researchers who are unsure which calculations to carry out and how to perform them have the ability to do research using the data compiled into the relevant templates.

The database is available in two forms:

The web version, which currently has about 1000 users, including the SADC Secretariat, academics, civil servants and students throughout the region, is the most up to date.
The offline version is cut onto CDs, which TIPS researchers distribute when they conduct training sessions in countries with poor internet access.

Please register for access here: http://data.sadctrade.org/st/Common/Login/register.aspx

The data base itself can be accessed here:

What people are saying

“The Trade Database developed by TIPS is the best trade database in the SADC that you can find”. Matthew Stern, Development Network Africa (DNA)
“The database and the training came at the right time while our government is faced with challenges of sorting out the multiple memberships between SADC and COMESA”. Timothy Makamba, Assistant Deputy Director: Policy Planning and Research - Malawi Revenue Authority
“The Analytical Templates make trade analysis appear so simple.” Emanual Imbula-Imbula, student: Department of Economics, University of Zambia
“TIPS, together with the SADC Secretariat, should provide more training on this database and also assist SADC member states in other areas of trade and development.” Hilda Ampweya, statistician: Central Bureau of Statistics - National Planning Commission, Namibia
“The SADC trade database can contribute towards improving trade recording within the SADC member states, and can also be a useful tool during negotiations. It is user-friendly, easy to access, has immense possibilities and must be updated regularly.” Moemedi Mokgosi, Senior Trade Officer: Department of International Trade, Botswana
“The database and training are very useful. Nowadays we are talking about development, and there is no development without trade.” Silas Sindi, Principal Enterprise Development Officer: Private Sector Development Division - Ministry of Trade and Private Sector, Malawi
“This database is better and more relevant than other international data sources. The best thing about it is that it can be changed, corrected or adjusted almost immediately when users make suggestions.” Jim LaFleur, Senior Economic Adviser: Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique
“This is an excellent database. It is much more user-friendly and effective than any data source we have ever experienced.” Jackson Kanyemba, Product and Market Development: Export Board of Zambia
“This is very useful and should be considered for a syllabus in all SADC institutions of higher learning.” Aurelio Tihoteo Massangaie, Lecturer: Higher Institute for International Relations, Mozambique
“This database is… helpful to departments within central banks and also for macroeconomic work.” Jurgen Hoffman, Trade Advisor: Agricultural Trade Forum, Namibia
“It is commendable that SADC has this trade database. It is a great resource for SADC trade analysis to boost trade in the region. There is a need to find ways of improving the quality of the data.” Dr Lawrence Mapemba, Senior Economist: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Malawi
“I have found the database to be very effective as well as energy and time-saving when it comes to data searching. The training was a cherry on top.” Nicholas Kabaso, Student: Department of Economics - University of Zambia
“CD distribution [of the data] should be encouraged, as it will make sure that most people have access to the database, given the internet and other technological challenges in the region.” Dumisani Mahlinza, Director of Trade Facilitation: SACU Secretariat
“There should be even more communication between TIPS and SADC member states about the developments in trade and on the database. Training of this kind is useful and can improve trade analysis in most government departments.”Javan Mulasu Sanadwa, Trade Statistician: Central Bureau of Statistics - National Planning Commission, Namibia

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