By Fred Felton | Jul. 31, 2026
The powerful message conveyed at the 9th
annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Week was
‘’Industrialisation remains the most effective pathway to economic
transformation.’’
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| Mayor Xaba delivering his speech at the 9th SADC Industrialization Week. | Photo: Thuli Dlamini. |
The event was held at the Inkosi Albert
Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) and started on 27 July
2026.
The five-day event was officially opened
by Mayor Cyril Xaba, he welcomed delegates, government leaders, investors, and
business representatives from across the Southern African region.
SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) is the
Southern African Development Community’s flagship week-long event aimed at
advancing regional industrial development, investment, and economic
transformation.
The programme for the week included
high-level policy dialogues and technical sessions, investment and trade
facilitation discussions, networking opportunities, strategic business and
investment engagements, exhibitions, and industrial and factory site visits.
The theme for the event was, ‘’Open,
Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure
Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a
Just World,’’ the event focused on strengthening regional trade, expanding
industrial capacity, and creating sustainable jobs.
The goals for the week were to advance the
SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, which is centred on
three pillars: industrialisation, competitiveness, and regional integration.
The event aimed to deepen regional value
chains in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and critical
minerals beneficiation; drive infrastructure development in energy, transport,
logistics, water, and ICT; and promote investment mobilisation and industrial
partnerships.
The objectives will be achieved while
empowering women and young entrepreneurs through innovation and digital
transformation.
With his opening address, Mayor Xaba said
eThekwini is honoured to host this important gathering, describing Durban as a
strategic gateway to Africa and a city committed to driving regional
industrialisation, investment, and economic growth.
‘’This platform enables us to share
experiences, forge effective partnerships, create opportunities, and identify
innovative solutions. Aspirations alone will not bring about transformation,
real implementation and the creation of opportunities for industries and
businesses must lead the way’’ said SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi.
Minister of Trade, Industry and
Competition Parks Tau said industrialisation provides a foundation for
productivity, economic diversification, technological advancement, and greater resilience
against external shocks. He added that stakeholders must be mindful of
strategic vulnerabilities and focus on implementing outcomes that are
measurable and visible.
The rest of the week featured discussions
on investment, technology, pharmaceuticals, market access, and other key areas.
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