The 9th Southern African Development Community-SADC Industrial Week has concluded in Durban, South Africa, with the region agreeing to accelerate industrialisation.

This development marks the beginning of an ambitious transformation of SADC from being a supplier of raw commodities into a globally competitive manufacturing hub.  

Governments, financiers and businesses in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have just agreed that the region's future prosperity will depend on processing its own resources rather than exporting them in their raw form.

The Head of Communications and Public Relations at the SADC headquarters in Gaborone, Barbara Lopi, said the 2026 industrial week concluded with a strong call for accelerated industrial transformation through deeper regional integration, expanded investment and stronger public-private partnerships.

"The week concluded with the adoption of a declaration outlining the region's collective commitments and recommendations to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen regional value chains, enhance competitiveness and promote sustainable economic transformation."

For decades, Southern Africa has exported minerals, agricultural commodities and other natural resources while importing higher-value manufactured products.

But the recent Durban gathering, which preceded the 46th Summit of Heads of State and Government, produced what participants described as a renewed commitment to industrial development centred on regional value chains, digital innovation and green manufacturing.