SADC

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

The 2nd SADC Regional Leather Forum, held in Durban, South Africa, from 23–24 July 2026, brought together Member States, development partners, the private sector and stakeholders across the leather value chain to advance regional cooperation and strengthen the competitiveness of the SADC leather industry.

The Forum emphasised the need for collective action, stronger cross-border collaboration, knowledge-sharing and strategic specialisation to address shared challenges, promote value addition, support SMEs and unlock the full potential of the regional leather value chain.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to translating the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework into practical national and regional action, while strengthening linkages between producers, tanneries, manufacturers, SMEs, investors and markets.

The Forum concluded with a renewed commitment to accelerate implementation of the regional leather agenda and position the leather industry as a catalyst for inclusive industrialisation, job creation, sustainable economic development and regional integration. The Forum acknowledged the invaluable support of the German Cooperation through the CESARE Programme in advancing the development of the regional leather industry.

Read full story on the SADC Website at; https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-member-states-commit-strengthening-regional-leather-value-chain-development

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GIZ SADC/Botswana
Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮, 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗮

The Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Ms. Angéle Makombo N’Tumba has underscored the strategic significance of the blue economy for Africa’s economic growth and sustainable development, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Ms. N’Tumba was addressing the technical segment of the 3rd Africa Blue Economy Week (ABEW) in Luanda, Angola, which runs from July 22 to 25, 2026 under the theme “From Strategy to Action: Political Leadership for Africa’s Blue Economy Transformation,” ABEW 2026.

The event hosted by the Government of the Republic of Angola with the support of African Union has brought together over 300 high-level leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to advancing the sustainable development of Africa’s marine and aquatic resources.

She emphasised that the blue economy involves the responsible utilisation of oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers to generate employment, enhance livelihoods, and promote inclusive growth across the continent. The Deputy Executive Secretary highlighted SADC’s efforts in formulating a comprehensive SADC Blue Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (2023–2032), designed to unlock regional potential and benefit SADC citizens.

Read full article on this link: https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-calls-action-africa-blue-economy-week-luanda-angola