Thailand Export to Africa: A Guide for Thai Manufacturers (2026)

Thailand export to Africa is a smaller story than Thailand's trade with Asia, but it is growing, and government agencies are actively organising business matching in African markets. This guide is for Thai manufacturers who want to sell to African buyers: what official sources say about the trend, which Thai agencies can help, how the certificate of origin process works, which African markets Thai delegations have recently visited, and how to open a supplier profile on Comilmart.

Thailand export to Africa: what the official data says

Thailand's overall exports reached a record US$339.64 billion in 2025, up 12.9%, according to a 23 January 2026 Nation Thailand report quoting Nantapong Chiralerspong, director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office at the Ministry of Commerce. In the section on December 2025 export figures, the report lists Africa among emerging markets showing positive trends, with growth of 13.1%. It names no products and gives no African export value, and the sentence is ambiguous on how the percentages apply, so treat it as a direction signal only. The report is on Nation Thailand.

Where Thai delegations have gone in Africa

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported a Thai business delegation to Egypt on 11 to 13 February 2026, led by the director-general of its Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs and focused on food and food processing. Its page says Egypt is Thailand's number one trading partner in North Africa and that total bilateral trade reached US$974.86 million in 2025. The Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo organised a business forum and business matching, and Thailand's Export-Import Bank met Afreximbank officials in Cairo. See the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs page.

A separate ministry page dated 10 June 2025 describes a meeting with a West African food-industry delegation from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Burkina Faso, with the stated aim of expanding Thai exports and market share. An event listing for 13 August 2026 in Johannesburg, supported by the commercial affairs office of the Royal Thai Embassy, named Thai sauces and condiments, coconut products, rice and noodles, snacks and beverages, and health and wellness products. Pattaya Mail reported on 7 April 2026 that the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) organised a business matching event in Nairobi for Thai and Kenyan software and digital service providers. Taken together, food and consumer products are the clearest lane for Thai manufacturers today, with digital services as a separate track.

Thai agencies that can support you

DITP's About page says its mission includes developing and expanding overseas market access for Thai products and services, and that it has branch offices in 58 foreign countries; the page does not say which, so ask DITP whether one covers your target market. As of October 2026, check each agency's site for current programmes, eligibility and costs.

Thailand's Export-Import Bank was mentioned in the Egypt delegation page above, but the page gives no product details, so contact the bank directly if you want to know what it offers exporters.

Thailand export to Africa: certificate of origin and paperwork

A UN ESCAP case study of a 2011 rice shipment from Thailand shows the route: an exporter applies for a certificate of origin through either the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) or the Thai Chamber of Commerce system, the agency reviews it, and the certificate is issued and authenticated. The case study also lists a commercial invoice, bill of lading and completed application form among the supporting documents. It is a historical example, not current guidance, so ask your forwarder or DFT which route and forms your product needs today. Food exports can also need health or plant certificates depending on the product and destination, and the buyer will tell you what their customs requires.

Food, auto parts and consumer goods: what buyers want to see

For packaged food, buyers care about shelf life, labelling language, ingredient lists and storage conditions in hot, humid ports. Read our guides to labelling and packaging for African markets and to heat, dust and power conditions. For auto parts and machinery, publish part numbers and the vehicle or equipment each part fits. For all products, set your minimum order quantity by price tier, as our guide on MOQ and price tiers explains.

Routes, Incoterms and which market first

Thai cargo usually leaves by sea in containers. Ask your forwarder about direct services versus transhipment, quote FOB or CIF, and state lead time and quote validity. Our guide to selling in South Africa as a foreign supplier is a sensible first read, because Thailand's recent event activity has included Johannesburg, and Egypt appears on the trade page above for North Africa. Add West and East African markets once you have a buyer and a compliance checklist.

Selling to African buyers through Comilmart

Comilmart is a B2B and B2C marketplace for Africa. Suppliers list products with MOQs and tiered pricing, and buyers send requests at /request-quotation. Approved suppliers see open requests on their RFQ board and can reply with a quotation or chat directly with the buyer. Buyers can order samples, and buyer protection holds payment until delivery is confirmed, with a 7-day window. 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. Ask about supplier payment methods and currencies through live chat or /contact-us.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thailand's export to Africa growing? A 2026 Nation Thailand report quoting a Ministry of Commerce official listed Africa among emerging markets with growth of 13.1% in December 2025 figures. It gave no value, so check the Ministry of Commerce for current data.

Which Thai agency supports exporters? DITP is the Thai trade promotion agency. Ask whether a DITP office covers your target market.

Who issues a Thai certificate of origin? A UN ESCAP case study shows applications through the Department of Foreign Trade or the Thai Chamber of Commerce system. Confirm the current route with your forwarder.

Can I apply to Comilmart from Thailand? Yes. The application is free and any country is accepted.

Does Comilmart pay for shipping? No. The foreign seller arranges and pays for shipping.

Getting started

If you are planning Thailand export to Africa, start at /sell-to-africa and submit the supplier application at /apply-manufacturer. The know-your-supplier form asks for your company registration number, tax number, business licence, registration certificate, at least two sample product images, your mission, vision and core values, and at least one B2B category. Applying is free, a Thai address is accepted as country, state and city are free text, and the form states admin review takes about 24 to 48 hours. Plans cost $0 (Standard), $99 (Starter), $300 (Verified) or $800 (Verified Pro) per year.