EZULWINI – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has reaffirmed that inclusive industrialisation is the most viable development path for Southern Africa to overcome the overlapping challenges it faces,
This is with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) serving as a powerful enabler.
Delivering her remarks at the 31st Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) in Ezulwini yesterday, ECA Subregional Director for Southern Africa, Eunice Kamwendo, said industrialisation must be at the heart of the region’s strategy to build resilience and shared prosperity.
“At the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, we believe that inclusive industrialisation is the most viable development path for Southern Africa and the continent at large to deal with the overlapping challenges that we face today, with AfCFTA as an enabler,” she said.
Kamwendo said the AfCFTA presents an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to transform from a commodity-exporting continent to one that thrives on value addition and innovation.
“Our host’s national motto, ‘Siyinqaba’ – meaning we are a fortress – should inspire the region to build a Southern African fortress that is robust, diverse and dynamic in a fast-changing world,” she added.
“These four actions can begin to lay important foundations for a resilient and sustainable Southern African region,” Kamwendo emphasised.
She also warned that youth unemployment remains a ticking time bomb for the continent, with rates exceeding 36 per cent in Eswatini and nearly 50 per cent in Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
“We must act now to turn our demographic dividend into a source of strength, not instability,” she cautioned.
Kamwendo concluded by urging member states to use the ICSOE as a platform not just for dialogue, but for accountability and progress tracking.
“The key is to commit to a few consequential priorities that can drive real change,” she said.
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