9TH SADC INDUSTRIALISATION WEEK 2026 - 27 – 31 JULY 2026 | DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

The SADC Business Council (SADC BC), in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), is pleased to officially announce that the 9th SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW 2026) will take place from 27 – 31 July 2026 in Durban, South Africa, on the margins of the 46th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit.

The 2026 edition of the SADC Industrialisation Week will be convened under the theme: “Resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation through infrastructure development, agricultural and critical minerals transformation in pursuit of a just world.” SADC Industrialisation Week remains the region’s flagship annual public-private engagement platform dedicated to advancing the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063), strengthening regional value chains, promoting industrial competitiveness, mobilising investment and accelerating regional economic integration. 

Since its inception, the SADC Industrialisation Week has successfully brought together governments, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, investors, policymakers, academia, SMEs, strategic partners and industry experts from across the SADC region and beyond to collectively advance practical industrialisation and trade outcomes. Previous editions have been hosted in Eswatini, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

The 2026 programme is expected to feature: 

• High-level policy dialogues and technical sessions; 

• Strategic business and investment engagements;

• Business-to-business (B2B) networking platforms;

• A week-long regional exhibition;

• Investment and trade facilitation discussions;

• Industrial and factory site visits; and  

• Sector-focused engagements aligned to the region’s industrialisation priorities.

Key thematic focus areas for SIW 2026 will include: 

• Regional value chains and industrial competitiveness;

• Infrastructure and logistics development;

• Sustainable energy and the just energy transition;

• Critical minerals beneficiation;

• AfCFTA implementation and market expansion;

• Circular economy and green industrialisation;  

• Digital transformation and innovation;

• Women and youth participation in industrialisation and regional trade; and  

• Mobilising investment for industrial growth.

The SADC Business Council and BUSA hereby encourage broad participation from: 

• Business associations and chambers;

• Corporates and multinational companies;

• SMEs and entrepreneurs;

• Financial institutions and DFIs;

• Investors and private equity firms;

• Academia and research institutions;

• Development partners; and

• Public sector stakeholders across the SADC region and internationally.

Organisations are further encouraged to explore sponsorship, partnership and exhibition opportunities as part of supporting regional industrialisation, private sector development and investment mobilisation within the SADC region. 

The SADC Business Council continues to play a strategic role in strengthening private sector participation within regional integration, trade facilitation and industrial development processes and looks forward to working closely with stakeholders in ensuring a successful and impactful SIW 2026. 

Further information regarding participation, sponsorship packages, exhibition opportunities and the detailed programme will be shared in due course.

Issued by: SADC Business Council (SADC BC) 

Supported by: Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)