Johannesburg: Industrialisation took centre stage at the opening of the ninth Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Week, with leaders from across the region calling for accelerated industrial development to drive economic transformation, regional integration, and job creation. The event, hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is a collaborative effort by the Southern African Development Community, the Government of South Africa, and the SADC Business Council.
According to South African Government News Agency, the week-long programme serves as the region's premier public-private platform for advancing industrial development, promoting investment, strengthening regional integration, and accelerating economic transformation. Scheduled from 27-31 July 2026, the event's theme is 'Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.' It is set to act as a high-level precursor to the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The gathering brings together policymakers, business leaders, investors, academia, researchers, development finance institutions, and other strategic stakeholders from across the SADC region and beyond. It aims to provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, partnership building, and the identification of practical solutions to advance industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
The main goals of the week are to advance the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, which is centred on the pillars of industrialisation, competitiveness, and regional integration. The 2026 edition will focus on strengthening regional value chains in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and critical minerals beneficiation; promoting infrastructure development in energy, transport, logistics, water, and information and communication technologies (ICT); mobilising investment and fostering industrial partnerships; and advancing women and youth empowerment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
In his opening address, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba expressed Durban's honour in hosting the gathering, highlighting the city as a strategic gateway to Africa committed to promoting regional industrialisation, investment, and economic growth. SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi emphasized the need for action over aspirations, stating that the platform allows member states and stakeholders to share experiences, forge partnerships, create opportunities, and identify innovative solutions for real transformation.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau remarked on the vital role of industrialisation in driving productivity, economic diversification, technological advancement, and resilience against external shocks. Tau called on stakeholders to remain attentive to strategic vulnerabilities while focusing on implementing measurable and visible outcomes.