By Eamonn Ryan
The Southern African Industrialisation Forum hosted a conference on 26/27 February with a range of panel discussions. This is Part 2 of a six-part article.

The following discussion is titled “Leveraging Trade Agreements for Economic Growth in the SADC Region”, with the following panel members and key stakeholders:
- Peter Varndell: SADC Business Council Executive Secretary
- Yavi Madurai: African Prosperity Fund Co-Founder
- Dr Mustafa Sakr: AUDA-NEPAD Principal Programme Officer: Trade and Markets Unit
- Ally Alexander Mwangolombe: SADC Secretariat Programme Officer – Customs Procedures
- Rooma Narrainen: Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry Head of Advocacy
As the panel discussion continued, Madurai welcomed the online participants, ensuring their inclusion in the dialogue. She posed a thought-provoking opening question to the panellists, setting the stage for a robust and insightful discussion on advancing intra-African trade and economic prosperity.
The discussion continued with each panellist providing insights into the significance of trade agreements for Africa’s future prosperity. Emphasising the abundant natural resources and human capital on the continent, the moderator posed a question to each participant regarding the role of trade in Africa’s industrialisation.
Mwangolombe elaborated on the pivotal role of trade in connecting production to markets, stressing the importance of harmonised trade policies and regulations to reduce the cost of doing business. He highlighted the need for effective implementation of trade agreements to ensure meaningful benefits for all stakeholders.
Sakr underscored the historical context of Africa’s integration efforts, citing the Agenda 2063 as a crucial milestone. He emphasised the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an invaluable tool for driving development on the continent. Sakr highlighted the importance of protocols within the AfCFTA framework, such as the inclusion of women and youth in trade, to ensure inclusive growth.
Narrainen expressed regret for his absence but conveyed his perspective from a business standpoint. He highlighted the importance of trade agreements in fostering economic growth and facilitating business operations. Narrainen underscored the need for proactive engagement from the business community to leverage trade agreements for mutual benefit.
Overall, the panellists echoed the sentiment that trade agreements play a vital role in Africa’s journey towards industrialisation and economic development. They emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the effective implementation of trade policies and protocols, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity across the continent.
Sakr highlighted the significant role that trade agreements have played in his country’s economic growth and diversification, with a substantial portion of exports now destined for preferential markets. He mentioned the importance of preferential market access and the role of trade agreements in promoting industrialisation by facilitating the transformation of raw materials and goods, ultimately fostering exports with duty-free benefits. Additionally, Sakr underscored the need to promote regional value chains and encourage businesses to source materials from within the region to enhance value addition and promote intra-African trade.
Varndell echoed these sentiments, suggesting that trade agreements offer businesses opportunities to expand into new markets and sell their products and services more affordably. He stressed the importance of understanding and efficiently utilising trade agreements to lower the cost of products, thereby making them more accessible to consumers. Varndell also emphasised the need for businesses to prioritise sectors that align with increasing trade, investment, job creation and prosperity.
Overall, both Sakr and Varndell highlighted the potential of trade agreements in driving economic growth, promoting industrialisation, and fostering regional integration across the African continent. They emphasised the need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to capitalise on these opportunities and address the challenges associated with regional integration.
Sakr provided an overview of the implementation status of the SADC vision 2050 and the regional indicative strategic plan 2022/30. He emphasised the interconnectedness and interdependence of the plan’s three pillars: industrial development and market integration, infrastructure development, and social and human capital development. Mwangolombe acknowledged the progress made in developing regional programmes, projects, strategies, protocols and policy guidelines, which have been adopted by SADC structures. However, he highlighted challenges related to limited resources and competition with national programmes or projects in member states.
Specifically regarding trade facilitation, Sakr mentioned the development, review and adoption of trade and customs instruments by SADC structures. These include the SADC electronic certificate of origin framework and the SADC trusted economic operators programme, aimed at streamlining customs processes and minimising border congestion. Additionally, Sakr discussed the establishment of the SADC Customs to Business Forum under the SADC Business Council, which aims to involve the private sector in the development and implementation of customs-related instruments from the outset.
Despite the progress made, Sakr noted the ongoing need for resources and capacity building to address challenges and effectively implement the strategic development plan. He highlighted the importance of private sector engagement and collaboration in driving implementation efforts forward.
It’s evident that significant strides have been made, especially with the adoption of key protocols and the mobilisation of private sector engagement. The focus on creating a business-friendly environment and addressing legal frameworks demonstrates a commitment to fostering sustainable trade and investment across the continent.
Mention of the Pan African Payment and Settlement system and the adjustment facility highlights the importance of developing infrastructure and financial mechanisms to support trade facilitation and economic development. Additionally, the guided trade initiative and participation of countries like South Africa underscore the collective effort to pilot effective strategies for AfCFTA implementation.
As we move forward, it’s crucial to prioritise full implementation of the AfCFTA, ensuring that its benefits are realised by all member states and the private sector. By continuing to engage stakeholders and address challenges collaboratively, we can unlock the full potential of intra-African trade and drive economic growth and prosperity for the continent.
Continued in part three…