Bangladesh Export to Africa: A Guide for Manufacturers (2026)

Bangladesh is best known for ready-made garments, but its factories also make jute goods, leather products, pharmaceuticals, plastics and ceramics, and the government has said it wants to widen its export markets in Africa. This guide to Bangladesh export to Africa is for manufacturers who want to sell to African wholesalers and distributors. It covers the latest official figures, the Bangladeshi export registrations and certificate of origin, how to choose a first market, and how to open a supplier profile on Comilmart.

Bangladesh export to Africa: the latest figures

The Financial Express reported on 21 October 2025 that Bangladesh's exports to Africa were US$410.8 million in FY2024-25, according to figures it attributed to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), with about US$158.9 million going to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc and South Africa the largest importer within it. EPB Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif said the bureau is planning to explore export opportunities in the African market, and the report gave a target of US$2.5 billion in exports to SADC by 2030. Current exports to SADC were listed as ready-made garments, jute goods, pharmaceuticals, leather and agricultural products, with light engineering, plastics and agro-processed foods named as growth sectors. Read the full report. A target is not a forecast, so plan on your own pipeline, not on that number.

BSS reported on 14 July 2026 that officials and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed jute and jute goods, leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals, fruits and ceramics as having significant market potential across the continent. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs said the government is working to conclude trade agreements with African countries. The report names no country and gives no figures, and you can see it on BSS.

What to sell: garments, ceramics, plastics and more

Two sources agree on a broad product list: garments, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals and ceramics. If you make household goods such as ceramic tableware, plastic housewares or jute bags, read our guide to exporting household goods to Africa for what wholesale buyers look at. Pharmaceuticals and medical products need the destination country's regulator approval, so ask the buyer what registration they require before quoting. Garment buyers want size charts, fabric composition and colour options by MOQ tier.

Bangladesh export to Africa: registration and paperwork

The Bangladesh export procedure page on eRegulations, a business-facilitation platform built by UNCTAD, says an exporter must first obtain an Export Registration Certificate (ERC) and also register with the Export Promotion Bureau and the relevant sector association. It adds that a certificate of origin is obtained for destinations that offer tariff exemption, that customs clearance is handled by authorised Clearing and Forwarding agents, and that some products such as leather, jute and plastic goods need approval for removal of goods for export from the local VAT office. The page does not name the Bangladeshi authority that operates it, so treat it as a guide and confirm with the issuing authorities. See Bangladesh eRegulations.

The EPB's own National Portal page (last updated 19 September 2020) describes the bureau as a government agency under the Ministry of Commerce whose duties include promoting exports, collecting trade information and organising participation in international trade fairs. It does not mention Africa, so ask the EPB about current programmes. These are as of October 2026, and rules change, so confirm with the EPB, customs and your bank before you ship.

Which African markets to try first

The Financial Express report names South Africa as the largest importer within SADC, which is a sensible anchor for a first test. Our guide to selling in South Africa as a foreign supplier explains what to prepare. For West Africa, read selling in Ghana. A Dhaka Tribune report on an Africa-Bangladesh business summit held in Addis Ababa on 12 to 14 November 2025, co-organised by the Bangladesh Embassy in Ethiopia, named ICT, pharmaceuticals, plastics, jute, textiles and chemicals as its focus, with 40 Bangladeshi exhibitors, so East Africa also has active outreach.

Quoting, MOQ and routes

Bangladeshi factories often quote FOB from a local port. Ask your forwarder whether there is a direct service to your buyer's port or whether cargo will be transhipped, and add lead time to every quote. Set MOQ tiers that make a container worthwhile, and state the Incoterm (FOB, CIF or DDP) on every quote.

Getting paid by African buyers

A Dhaka chamber president quoted by BSS urged simpler direct payment mechanisms for trade with Africa, so payment is a recognised issue. Decide your terms before samples move, put them in writing, and read our guide on getting paid safely by African buyers. On Comilmart, buyer protection holds the buyer's payment until delivery is confirmed within a 7-day window. For supplier payment methods and currencies, ask through live chat or /contact-us.

Selling through Comilmart

Comilmart is a B2B and B2C marketplace for Africa. Suppliers list products with MOQs and tiered pricing, buyers post requests at /request-quotation, and approved suppliers browse open requests on their RFQ board and respond with a quotation or chat directly with the buyer. Sample orders and live chat are available. You arrange and pay for shipping to Africa: Comilmart does not handle freight, customs clearance, duties or delivery, and it cannot promise orders, volumes or prices.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Bangladesh export to Africa? The Financial Express, attributing the figures to the EPB, reported US$410.8 million in FY2024-25.

Do I need an ERC to export from Bangladesh? The eRegulations page says an exporter must first obtain an Export Registration Certificate. Confirm the current process with the authorities.

Which Bangladeshi products do officials highlight for Africa? Garments, jute goods, leather, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, plastics and agro-processed foods appear in the reports above.

Can a Bangladeshi manufacturer apply to Comilmart? Yes, applications are free and any country is accepted.

Does Comilmart handle customs clearance? No. The seller arranges shipping, and the buyer or their agent handles local clearance.

Getting started

To build Bangladesh export to Africa on a verified profile, start at /sell-to-africa and apply at /apply-manufacturer. The form asks for your company registration number, tax number, a business licence upload, a registration certificate upload, at least two sample product images, your company mission, vision and core values, and at least one B2B category. It is free to apply, a Bangladeshi address is accepted, and the form states admin review takes about 24 to 48 hours. Plans are $0 (Standard), $99 (Starter), $300 (Verified) and $800 (Verified Pro) per year.