Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have been urged to accelerate industrial transformation by investing in value addition, modern infrastructure and innovation to unlock economic growth, create jobs and strengthen regional trade.
Opening the 9th SADC Industrialisation Week 2026 in Durban, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said the region must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead develop industries that process agricultural products, minerals and energy resources into higher-value goods.
"The region's abundant natural resources should become the foundation of a competitive manufacturing sector capable of delivering sustainable growth and improving the lives of our people," Magosi said.
He argued that industrialisation remains central to achieving economic resilience, particularly as Southern African economies seek to reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in global commodity markets.
Magosi said stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners would be critical to mobilising investment, improve industrial competitiveness and expand intra-regional trade.
He also called for greater investment in reliable energy, transport networks, digital infrastructure and innovation, while ensuring women and young people are fully integrated into industrial production and entrepreneurship.
This year's SADC Industrialisation Week is being held under the theme, "Advancing Industrialisation for Strong, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural Transformation and Mineral Beneficiation for an Equitable World."
The theme underscores the region's ambition to leverage its natural resource base to build competitive industries while addressing climate and economic challenges.
The five-day forum has brought together policymakers, business leaders, investors, development partners and industry experts from across Southern Africa to discuss practical measures for deepening regional value chains, attracting investment and increasing value addition in agriculture and mining.
The meeting is expected to produce recommendations that will inform SADC's industrialisation agenda ahead of the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for August 17, 2026, in Durban.
Analysts view the forum as an important platform for advancing one of SADC's long-standing priorities—transforming the region from a supplier of raw materials into a hub for manufacturing and value-added production, a shift seen as essential for creating quality jobs and sustaining long-term economic growth.
