Pretoria: Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, will participate as a panellist at this year's 2026 Annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Week. The Government of South Africa, in collaboration with the SADC Business Council and the SADC Secretariat, will host the event from 27 to 31 July 2026 at the Durban International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister will contribute to a panel discussion themed: 'Critical Minerals as a Driver of SADC Industrialisation in a Fragmented Global Economy.' SADC Industrialisation Week is regarded as the region's largest public-private platform for advancing industrial development.
The event will bring together government leaders, industry representatives, investors, and innovators from across SADC to promote sustainable industrial growth. It aims to deepen regional integration and strengthen public-private partnerships that can unlock competitive cross-border value chains.
Held under the theme: 'Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,' the event serves as a high-level precursor to the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.