UNIDO Presents its Approach to Cluster Development at the 7th SADC Industrialization Week

Harare, 12 September 2024 - As part of its support to industrialization in Southern Africa, UNIDO participated at the 7th SADC Industrialization Week in Harare, Zimbabwe. Officially opened by His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the SADC Industrialization Week was held under the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialized SADC”.

During the UNIDO Session on Industrial Matters, Fatou Haidara, Deputy Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations at UNIDO delivered opening remarks where she highlighted that the SADC Secretariat continues to be a key strategic partner for UNIDO, and reiterated that UNIDO is committed to accelerating sustainable industrial development in Africa, and promoting intra-regional and global trade in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Catherine Mwangi, UNIDO Project Administrator in the Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation, presented the UNIDO’s Approach to Cluster Development. The presentation touched on the Principles for Cluster Development and expounded on the project example from the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) - Ghana and its contribution to cluster development, quality improvement and market access. Mwangi noted that “SMEs are the backbone of Africa’s economy and clusters are a pivotal tool to ensure that SMEs become stronger and competitive, ensuring the development of viable businesses capable to access new markets and create jobs for the local communities”.

The SADC Industrialization Week provided a platform for Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States, the private sector, international partners, policymakers, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), financial institutions, researchers and civil society to share experiences on driving industrialization and economic transformation in the region.

For more information, please contact:

Ebe Muschialli,

UNIDO Industrial Development Expert,

e.muschialli [at] unido.org (Email)