Country Manager Trade Commissioner, Johannesburg

• Application Deadline: Jan. 11 2026
• Johannesburg

Job Description

We are now looking for a new Country Manager / Trade Commissioner to head up our office in Johannesburg and to be part of growing our footprint and presence in southern Africa. Business Sweden has been present in Johannesburg South Africa since 1993 and our team offers strategic advice and operational support that helps Swedish companies to expand and grow their business in the region.

The region Middle East and Africa will be increasingly important for Swedish trade the coming years. Many of the fastest growing economies in the world are located in the region which is characterized by thriving economic growth and a drive for reforms but it is also plagued by humanitarian crisis and political instability. The average growth is more than three percent but several areas are still dependent on foreign aid. That is why this region in many aspects will be in the center of the policy development bringing aid and development measures closer to trade promotion.

Business Sweden supports businesses across MEA from six offices in Kenya Morocco Nigeria Saudi Arabia South Africa and the UAE. From Johannesburg we cover southern Africa including Botswana Namibia Angola Zambia Zimbabwe Mozambique and DRC. We provide strategic advice market insights and a strong network in both private and public sectors - helping companies succeed and expand in the region. Business Sweden also supports companies in MEA that plan to extend their business in Sweden.

You will have full profit & loss and personnel responsibility for Business Swedens operations in South Africa. The role includes strategic tactical and operational responsibilities such as:

• Representing interests of Swedish enterprises and Business Sweden in the market.
• Selling and marketing Business Swedens services to existing and potential clients in both Sweden and in Africa including add-on sales in on-going projects.
• Developing and deepening contact with existing and potential client enterprises and stakeholders.
• Managing planning and delivering consulting/ internationalization assignments.
• Full Profit & Loss responsibility with expectation to grow.
• Management of the office and employees inspiring and developing the team.
• Developing business processes and organisation.
• Operating from a global perspective to promote Swedish industry and companies.
• Work in a Team Sweden context and coordinating export promotion initiatives with development cooperation.
• Collaboration with trade promotion organisations in the other Nordic countries around events and programmes.

As a Trade Commissioner you will have very close relations to the Swedish representations in the market. This means that you will be an official representative for Sweden acting in close collaboration with the Swedish Foreign Service and other organisations. You will be based in Johannesburg South Africa and report to the Vice President Middle East & Africa.