The introduction of Local Economic Development after the attainment of freedom in 1994 was meant to improve the socioeconomic challenges in local municipalities. It is unfortunate that after two decades these socioeconomic problems still persist. Despite the existence of these socioeconomic problems (unemployment, absolute poverty and stagnant economic growth), the researcher contends that trade exports are supposed to improve local development. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of exports on Local Economic Development in the Rand West City Local Municipality. To achieve this aim, the study used the Johansen cointegration and granger causality test. The Johansen cointegration results reveal a profound positive relationship between Local Economic Development and exports. Furthermore, the granger causality test confirmed the cointegration results by finding a bidirectional causal relationship between Local E