Delegates and participants to the 31st ICSOE session call for bold action to unlock AfCFTA, build regional value chains, and drive inclusive regional industrialization

Ezulwini, Eswatini, 30 October 2025 (ECA) -At the 31st Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE31) of Southern Africa in Ezulwini, Eswatini, October 29^th -31^st, regional government representatives, experts, private sector representatives, and development partners convened to advance industrialization, trade integration, and value chain development in the region under the theme "Unlocking AfCFTA's Potential: Building Value Chains and Overcoming Barriers to Trade in Southern Africa."

Hon. Neil Rijkenberg, Minister of Finance, called for decisive, partnership-driven action to turn AfCFTA commitments into tangible results. Highlighting the AfCFTA as a transformative opportunity for Africa's 1.4 billion people market, he stressed that Southern Africa must move beyond raw commodity exports and build interconnected value chains to drive industrialization.

Minister Rijkenberg outlined key priorities for the region including development of strategic value chains in batteries, agro-processing, and leather industries, elimination of non-tariff barriers through digitalization, harmonized customs and standards. He further underscored the importance of mobilizing resources to bridge the US$50 billion financing gap to support SMEs and youth entrepreneurs and investment in human capital, ensuring women and youth play central roles in industrial growth.

Minister Rijkenberg also proposed a concept of "Right of Supply" mechanism, encouraging governments to source selected products continentally to create predictable demand, stimulate regional specialization, and make AfCFTA a living reality, alongside a regional scorecard to track progress.

Speaking on behalf of Ms. Prudence Kaoma, Zambia's Permanent Secretary for Planning and Administration in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and Chair of the 30th ICSOE Bureau, Mr. Davison Mapiza, Director of Development Planning, emphasized the importance of coordinated regional action to fully harness the opportunities of the AfCFTA.

Ms. Kaoma highlighted key regional achievements by the Secretariat in advancing sustainable industrialization and climate action, including the completion of a study on renewable energy for a just transition, which has informed the ongoing SADC Just Energy Transition (JET) Framework. ECA's technical partnership in developing the JET Framework is expected to be finalized in 2026. She also highlighted the Secretariat's work on the implementation of a Project on Innovative Climate Action, supporting green and inclusive industrialization across six SADC countries.

She emphasized AfCFTA as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift from raw material exports to value-added production. She outlined ECA-supported initiatives including the finalization of National AfCFTA strategies for Botswana and Lesotho, a step-by-step guide to trading under AfCFTA for Namibia and the Angola AfCFTA implementation strategy. The PS also highlighted the launch of SOTIP, and the empowerment of 70+ women entrepreneurs with the tools to trade under AfCFTA.

UN Resident Coordinator for Eswatini, Mr. George Wachira emphasized the need for practical and implementable strategies to address Africa's pressing economic challenges, including limited diversification, vulnerability to external shocks, and underutilized industrial capacity.

Mr. Wachira recognized Eswatini's strong industrial base, with manufactured goods accounting for nearly 80% of total exports well above the continental average and highlighted the country's strategic location and commitment to regional cooperation, positioning it as a potential Regional Production Hub within SACU and SADC.

He further noted that, beyond the AfCFTA, the region can benefit from complementary frameworks and initiatives, including the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap, the Tripartite Free Trade Area and the COMESA-EAC-SADC regional infrastructure programs, to advance regional trade, industrialization, and inclusive growth.

Ms. Eunice Kamwendo, Director of the UN Economic Commission for Africa's Subregional Office for Southern Africa (ECA SRO-SA), emphasized the need for coordinated regional action to fully harness the potential of the AfCFTA.

Ms Kamwendo outlined four key priorities to make AfCFTA a transformative force: strengthening value addition and regional value chains; promoting economic diversification; creating jobs for youth and the private sector; and advancing the transition to greener and sustainable economies. She underscored that, "Inclusive industrialization is the most viable path for Southern Africa and the continent.

To make AfCFTA a true game changer, we must focus on these four interconnected objectives to drive sustainable growth, industrialization, and regional integration." "ICSOE is not just a discussion platform, but an accountability mechanism. We must move beyond talk to tangible action that accelerates industrialization, regional value chains, and AfCFTA implementation," said Ms. Kamwendo.

The 31st ICSOE session reaffirms Southern Africa's commitment to inclusive industrialization, regional integration, and sustainable growth, positioning the region to fully harness AfCFTA's transformative potential.

Issued by:
The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa
UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia.

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