Harare, Zimbabwe – The SADC Industrialization Week (SIW) began with a grand opening in Harare on Sunday, 28 July 2024. This significant event precedes the senior officials, Council of Ministers meetings, and the SADC Summit, which will take place from 9 to 18 August 2024 at the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden. The SIW aims to promote industrialization, showcase investment opportunities across various value chains, and facilitate networking among stakeholders in the industrial sector.
Theme and Objectives Running under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialized SADC,” the event aligns with the overarching goals of the upcoming SADC Summit. The theme underscores the importance of innovation in driving sustainable economic growth and development across the Southern African region.
Zimbabwe’s Leading Role in SADC Industrialization Strategy In 2014, Zimbabwe played a pivotal role in the formulation and advocacy of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063), which was subsequently adopted by all SADC member states. This year’s SIW is a culmination of collaboration between the private sector, government, and the SADC Secretariat. Hosting the SIW in Zimbabwe not only showcases the country’s commitment to industrialization but also highlights its openness to business and new ideas.
President Mnangagwa to Officially Open the Event President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to officially open the event on Wednesday, 31 July 2024. Since its inception in 2016, the SIW has been hosted in various SADC countries, including Eswatini, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The event in Angola was canceled in 2023 due to unforeseen circumstances. Zimbabwe’s hosting of this prestigious event, coupled with its assumption of the Chairmanship of the regional group, demonstrates the SADC bloc’s confidence in Zimbabwe’s efforts to collaborate with other member states in economic and industrial development. This also reinforces President Mnangagwa’s mantra, ‘Zimbabwe is open for business.’
Factory Visits and Networking Opportunities On Friday, 2 August 2024, delegates will participate in factory visits around Harare, enabling industrialists to showcase Zimbabwe’s industrial potential. The event is expected to attract 300 participants, including small to medium enterprises, women, and small businesses. This year’s SIW comes at a crucial time when Zimbabwe’s policy direction focuses on economic revival and stabilization.
Historical Context and Future Prospects Zimbabwe’s leadership in the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) reflects its long-term vision for regional economic integration and development. The strategy aims to transform the SADC region into a diversified and innovative industrial economy. As Zimbabwe assumes the Chairmanship of the SADC, it has a unique opportunity to influence and drive the industrialization agenda forward, leveraging its strategic position and resources.
Conclusion The SADC Industrialization Week in Harare is more than just a series of meetings and factory visits; it is a testament to Zimbabwe’s resilience and its commitment to regional development. As the country showcases its industrial potential and hosts influential stakeholders, it sends a clear message that Zimbabwe is ready to lead and collaborate in the quest for an industrialized and prosperous SADC region.
