Ndlovu calls for tech-led SADC economic growth

New Ziana – For Southern African Development Community member states to innovate, there is need to invest in research and development through supporting burgeoning tech industries and nurture a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship, a cabinet Minister said on Thursday.

Addressing local and regional captains of industry and commerce at the on-going 7th edition of the SADC Industrialization Week in the capital, Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu said Governments in the region – in partnership with the private sector and development partners – must create innovation hubs, provide funding for start-ups, and foster collaborations between universities and industries.

He said proactive strategies were needed to close the gap between academia and industry, wherein the former churns out skills that are demand-driven.

“This collaborative approach will enable us to develop SADC home grown solutions tailored to respond to and address our unique challenges and opportunities.

“Only we can do it for ourselves if we are serious about the transformative growth that will positively impact on the citizenry of the Southern African region,” he said.

Ndhlovu said as unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth requires deliberate and strategic actions, there was a need to create an enabling environment that attracts investment, promotes a thriving commercial sector, simplifies regulatory frameworks, and enhances the ease of doing business.

He added that there were no better institutions to lead this revolution than the regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry who are present in the room.

“Your presence here and participation in the SADC Industrialization Week attests to our shared commitment to fostering a vibrant and integrated industrialized economy for the Southern Africa region.

“We therefore owe it to ourselves to liaise and collaborate in this endeavour to enhance the region’s capacity to attract investment.

“Our region is endowed with various mineral resources, rich agricultural land, huge forests and fauna, rivers to generate energy as well as the demographic of a young and educated population. I call on our business leaders to leverage on these regional strengths,” he said.

He told the delegates that Zimbabwe is committed to streamlining business registration processes, providing tax incentives for investors, and strengthening the property rights framework. This, he said, was aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a prime investment destination, and attracting investments into SADC.

He said SADC member states have to collaborate in this endeavour in order to make the whole Southern African region a prime investment destination. Ndhlovu said the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) was pivotal and the region must collectively push for its full realization.

He added that the theme for this year’s event, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialized SADC,” aptly captured the essence of SADC’s mission, which is to leverage on innovation to deliver transformative growth and development for the region.