SADC Industrialisation Week in Durban advances regional manufacturing and Lesotho SEZ legislation

Day two of the 9th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Week took place in Durban, South Africa, bringing government leaders, industry groups, development finance institutions and researchers together to move from policy talk to concrete actions. Delegates examined ways to expand manufacturing capacity, promote beneficiation, improve food security, localise pharmaceuticals and develop critical mineral value chains for battery production. The Agriculture and Agro‑processing Stream featured participants such as the African Export‑Import Bank, Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region and Tiger Brands, discussing value‑addition in timber, furniture, pulp, paper and fruit sectors. The Critical Minerals Stream highlighted the ambition to position Southern Africa as a global hub for mineral beneficiation and advanced manufacturing.

At the same conference, Thabo Qhesi, chief executive of the Private Sector Foundation of Lesotho, called on the Lesotho government to fast‑track a dedicated Special Economic Zones (SEZ) law and allocate funding for supporting infrastructure. He noted that Finance Minister Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane intends to finalise the SEZ Bill in the 2026/27 fiscal year, but funding commitments remain pending. The SEZ framework is seen as essential to give investors certainty and to build on Lesotho’s existing industrial estates, which support about 30,000‑40,000 jobs mainly in textiles and garments.