The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is holding its 9th Industrialization Week from July 27 to 31.
Written by: Ayman Ragab
From July 27 to 31, 2026, the city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa will host the 9th Annual SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the SADC Business Council.
The event is being held under the theme: “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Manufacturing through Infrastructure Development, Transforming Agriculture and Bio-Minerals towards a Fairer World,” with the participation of governments, the business sector, investors, academia and development finance institutions, along with a number of stakeholders, with the aim of promoting manufacturing, investment, regional integration and economic transformation.
A high-level platform precedes the summit.
The week represents a high-level platform preceding the 46th Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, with President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, in attendance as guest of honor and keynote speaker.
The event will also be attended by Mr. Elias Magussi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, along with ministers, senior government officials, business leaders and prominent figures from the region and beyond.
Discussions during the week will focus on strengthening regional value chains, developing infrastructure, mobilizing investments, increasing the added value of vital minerals, agricultural processing industries, pharmaceutical industries, digital transformation, innovation, and empowering women and youth.
Manufacturing strategy and roadmap
Manufacturing Week supports the implementation of the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) manufacturing strategy and roadmap (2015–2063), which focuses on manufacturing, enhancing competitiveness and regional integration.
Through policy dialogues, technical meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement, the event aims to find practical solutions to achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable industrial growth, create jobs, enhance regional competitiveness, and achieve shared prosperity in the Southern African region.
