The new office is being led by Jean-Bernard Ruggeri, chief representative for Sub-Saharan Africa, who joined EDC in Toronto in May 2014 and recently moved to Joahnnesburg. He said that South Africa presented itself as a “good hub” and as such, the prime location for the ECA’s first permanent office on the continent. “We look at the number and volumes of transactions, and we listen to our clients. South Africa is the most diversified economy on the continent, and a big part of our active clients and customers of our clients are based in the country.” he explains. “Even though Africa may not be the first office Canadian exporters think about, more and more customers are talking about opportunities on the continent.”