The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the SADC Business Council organised a Media Awareness Day to kick off the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe on the 28th July 2024.
The Media Awareness Day was convened to inform journalists and media personnel about the objectives and achievements of the industrialisation process within the SADC region. This event serves as a platform to highlight the role of industrialisation in economic growth and development, as well as to foster greater media engagement and coverage of the critical issues emanating from the SIW. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about industrialisation efforts and the importance of media in promoting and understanding the developments.
This annual event aims to intensify multi-stakeholder engagement in implementing the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063 with a key focus on reviewing progress and challenges in executing the SADC Industrialisation Strategy, as well as sharing success stories and solutions for developing robust regional value chains across priority sectors within the SADC region.
Honourable Dr. Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services underscored that the SIW aims to foster intra- African trade, develop cross-border value chains, and identify investment opportunities in the SADC region through public- private partnerships. He highlighted that industrialisation Week aims to promote industrialisation, to showcase investment opportunities across various value chains and to facilitate networking among stakeholders in the industrial sector.
For her part, Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration explained that Industrialisation and innovation have always been closely intertwined, driving each other forward in a cycle of progress and development. She further said that Innovation plays a pivotal role in driving industrialisation forward and that new technologies, processes, and business models emerge through innovation, enabling industries to become more efficient, productive, and competitive.
The Deputy Executive Secretary Ms. Makombo N’tumba also noted that industrialisation itself often acts as a catalyst for further innovation and outlined that the demand generated by industrialisation creates incentives for innovation, as companies strive to meet evolving consumer needs and preferences.
The 7th Industrialisation Week itself is expected to feature discussions, exhibitions, and presentations focusing on industrial growth, innovation, and the integration of advanced technologies in the region. It’s an opportunity for SADC Member States to showcase their progress and plans in industrial development agenda for the region.
