The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the oldest Chamber in Africa. It was established in 1804 and was incorporated by an Act of Parliament, the Cape Town Chamber Act of 1891. The current Chamber is a product of a number of amalgamations. In 1994 the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Chamber of Industries merged to form the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and this entity merged in 2002 with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Boland, Stellenbosch, Helderberg, Tygerberg and Fish Hoek. The Chamber is governed by a Constitution and the ultimate authority rests with the Board of Directors. The Cape Chamber currently has 2103 paid-up members and has the most members in the Western Cape Region as well as other provinces and international members. 

The Cape Chamber engages with key stakeholders such as Provincial and Local Government. The Cape Chamber also facilitates and provides secretarial support to the Port Liaison Forum which consists of all the major stakeholders within the export and import sectors. Stakeholders include Customs Authority, Port Authorities, Freight Forwarders Association, Exporters Club and Provincial Government, etc. The CCCI has established an International Desk with 3 staff members to deal with international trade matters such as incoming delegations and trade missions. It also sets up information seminars on how to conduct business with various countries and assists members with information/ advice on exports and imports. The CCCI is an accredited issuing body for certificates of origin and other export documents which is a requirement for certain exports from South Africa.