EXPORT READINESS CHECLIST FOR AFRICAN BRANDS
Going global is exciting, but exporting successfully takes more than a great product. It requires preparation, structure, and a clear understanding of what international markets expect. Before you ship your first order, use this practical checklist to assess whether your brand is truly export-ready.
- PRODUCT AND QUALITY STANDARDS
- Your product must meet consistent quality benchmarks.
- Standardized production processes
- Quality control checks at every stage
- Shelf-life testing (especially for food & beauty)
- Compliance with destination-country regulations
- Consistency builds trust. One bad batch can close doors fast.
- DOCUMENTATION & COMPLIANCE
- Exports are paperwork-heavy, being organized saves time and money.
- Business registration and tax compliance
- Export licenses (where required)
- Product certifications (FDA, ISO, organic, etc.)
- Accurate invoices and packing lists
- If your documents aren’t clean, your goods won’t move.
- PACKAGING & LABELLING
- Your packaging must survive shipping and appeal to global consumers.
- Durable, export-grade packaging
- Clear labels (ingredients, origin, usage, expiry dates)
- Compliance with labeling laws in target markets
- Brand-forward design that communicates value
- Packaging is often your first international impression.
- PRICING AND COST STRUCTURE
- Export pricing goes beyond production cost.
- Clear cost breakdown (production, logistics, duties, fees)
- Competitive pricing for target markets
- Sustainable margins for scale
- FX and payment considerations
- If pricing isn’t intentional, growth becomes risky.
- LOGISTICS AND FULFILMENTS
- Reliable delivery is non-negotiable.
- Trusted freight partners
- Clear shipping timelines
- Storage and consolidation options
- Tracking and delivery confirmation
- Buyers remember late shipments.
- MARKET DEMAND AND BUYER READINESS
- Know who you’re selling to, and why they’ll buy.
- Identified target markets
- Proven demand (diaspora, retail, wholesale, e-commerce)
- Clear value proposition
- Sales channels ready (distributors, platforms, retailers)
- Export success starts with demand, not hope.
- FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
- Growth brings pressure, be prepared.
- Ability to fulfill repeat orders
- Access to working capital or trade finance
- Scalable production capacity
Export readiness isn’t perfection, it’s preparation. Brands that take the time to build structure, compliance, and clarity are the ones that last globally.
If your checklist is mostly ticked, you’re closer than you think.
If not, that’s where the real work, and opportunity, begins.