— REFERENCE

Glossary

Key terms and acronyms used across AFRLAT. If you're new to Latvia–SADC trade, start here.

BLNS

Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini (Swaziland)

The four smaller SACU members that form a customs union with South Africa. Under the EU-SADC EPA, these countries have duty-free access for EU exports alongside South Africa and Mozambique.

EU-SADC EPA

EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement

A trade agreement between the EU and six SADC countries (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, Mozambique) providing duty-free/quota-free market access for most products. Entered into force in 2016. Other SADC members (Tanzania, Zambia, etc.) trade under different arrangements.

Eurostat

Statistical Office of the European Union

The EU's statistical authority, providing comparable data across member states. Publishes trade, economic, and social statistics used by researchers, policymakers, and businesses.

Eurostat COMEXT

Eurostat External Trade Database

The EU's official source for international trade statistics. Dataset DS-045409 provides bilateral trade flows between EU member states and partner countries, by HS product code, monthly. AFRLAT's primary data source.

HS Codes

Harmonized System Codes

An international standard for classifying traded products. HS2 = 2-digit chapter (e.g. 10 = Cereals), HS4 = more specific (e.g. 1001 = Wheat), HS6 = most detailed. AFRLAT uses HS2/HS4 data from Eurostat COMEXT.

LIAA

Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

Latvia's export promotion agency. Provides co-financing for trade missions, export consultancy, and market research. Has an Africa representative (Igors Boiko) coordinating Latvian company engagement with African markets.

OECD DAC

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — Development Assistance Committee

The main body through which OECD countries coordinate development aid. Latvia joined in March 2025, formalizing its development cooperation and opening systematic funding channels for projects in Africa.

SADC

Southern African Development Community

A regional economic community of 16 member states in Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, Tanzania, DR Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, and Seychelles. Combined GDP of ~$960B and population of 430M+.