SANF 24 no 15
Southern Africa has a vast knowledge dividend in its youthful population that can take the region into the future by investing in science and innovation to build an economy anchored on industrial development.
This is a key message as Zimbabwe prepares to host the 44th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and related to that, the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week.
The Industrialisation Week has been convened annually since 2016, bringing together public and private sector representatives and researchers to discuss ways to accelerate regional integration, enhance trade within the region and the continent, and increase investment.
It aims to advance the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, and identify projects that can be implemented jointly by the public and private sectors in the 16 member states.
Adopted in April 2015 at a Special Summit in Harare, the industrialisation strategy aims to facilitate a major economic and technological transformation at national and regional levels in the context of regional integration.
The strategy and roadmap outlines several essential elements for industrialisation. These include technological upgrading and innovation as enablers and creators of employment and competitiveness, as well as recognition of the impact of the emerging patterns of global technology and trade.
The format of the Industrialisation Week, scheduled for Harare from 28 July-2 August 2024,
will include a high-level investment forum, dialogues and panel discussions, and an exhibition.
The SADC Investment Forum on 29 July will be opened by Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
The forum is expected to attract more than 300 policy makers from the region, private sector players, investors and representatives of development finance institutions who will explore investment opportunities in key sectors.
Strengthening regional interventions in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is expected to take centre stage during the investment forum, as will the advancement of agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceutical, leather and other regional value chains.
Discussions during the investment conference and panels are expected to include STI policy support and development; promotion of public-private partnership investment in STI; research and development infrastructure; and the development of research, innovation and technology transfer.
The dialogue and panel sessions bring together policymakers, industry leaders and experts to discuss innovation-driven strategies for industrialisation.
Issues for discussion include how the region can foster digital transformation and green technologies as well as promote entrepreneurship, especially among the youth.
Other areas of discussion likely to feature during discussions at the investment forum include awareness-raising on the role of STI in industrialisation; protection of intellectual property rights; and opportunities for women and youth participation in science, engineering and technology.
The exhibition will run concurrently with the investment forum and the dialogue sessions, and will showcase cutting-edge technologies, research results, and innovative products from the region.
A special feature of this year’s programme will be a fashion show where members of the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council (ZLDC) will showcase their designs.
ZLDC is the apex body of the Zimbabwe leather value chain, charged with the responsibility of coordinating activities in the sector – from farmers through manufacturers to leather and leather products, designers, wholesalers and retailers, and related institutions.
The theme for the 2024 industrialisation week is “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC” which resonates with the broader regional vision to foster innovation, enhance industrialisation and create resilient economies.
SADC member states recognise the important role and contribution of STI to the economic and social development of the region as one of the broad strategic objectives of the SADC agenda for regional integration and cooperation.
Strategies identified by SADC to promote investment in STI include implementation of the SADC Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation which entered into force in 2022 following ratification by two-thirds of member states. This advances the regional law from being a stated intention to actual application.
The Protocol, which was adopted in 2008, aims to strengthen cooperation and promote the development, transfer and use of STI in member states.
Other strategies available to SADC member states as they harness the potential of STI in promoting industrialisation include the establishment of collaborative regional research, development and innovation programmes in priority areas; setting up and strengthening regional centres of excellence as well as networks in priority areas; and developing and strengthening regional STI capacities.
The leading role of the youth in the SADC economic integration agenda is emphasised in the Costed Action Plan of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, which was approved by an Extraordinary Summit held in Eswatini in March 2017.
This commits member states to increase youth participation in industrial activities, and proposes measures that could be adopted to empower the youth to participate in the industrialisation process.
These measures include the development of youth entrepreneurship programmes, with a focus on self-employment or small business start-ups that will support national and regional value chains in various sectors such as agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, other consumer goods, capital goods, and services.
The goal is to develop a SADC Youth Economic Empowerment Programme that will facilitate the participation of young people in the industrialisation agenda of the region.
SADC has a relatively young population estimated at more than half the 370 million-plus people.
The industrialisation week is co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Zimbabwe and the SADC Secretariat, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and the SADC Business Council. sardc.net
