In a landmark move to strengthen trade and industrial development across Southern Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the European Union (EU), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC), officially unveiled the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) SADC Programme. The launch took place on July 28, 2025, during the 8th SADC Industrialization Week in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
A €25 Million Investment in Regional Trade
Funded by the EU, the €25 million initiative is designed to elevate trade competitiveness in the region, improve Quality Infrastructure, and stimulate both intra-African and Africa–EU trade. The programme is part of a broader €200 million ATCMA umbrella, which spans five regional blocs—COMESA, ECOWAS, EAC, ECCAS, and SADC—under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
Strategic Alignment with Africa–EU Partnership Goals
The launch event underscored the synergy between regional industrialization efforts and the Africa–EU Partnership. It brought together government officials, private sector leaders, development agencies, and media representatives, with additional participation via virtual platforms to ensure inclusive regional engagement.
Empowering SMEs and Driving Inclusive Growth
Jointly implemented by UNIDO and ITC, the ATCMA–SADC Programme focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in high-potential sectors. By aligning products with global standards and strengthening Quality Infrastructure, the initiative aims to unlock market access, promote sustainable industrialization, and create jobs across the region.
Special attention will be given to women- and youth-led businesses, with efforts to improve access to finance, encourage sustainable practices, and build resilient supply chains. The programme also supports deeper integration of African economies into global trade networks.
Voices from the Launch
Madagascar’s Minister of Industrialization and Trade, H.E. David Ralambofiringa, emphasized the programme’s potential to transform regional value chains and empower SMEs to compete globally. “This is about more than market access—it’s about removing technical barriers and uplifting the quality of our products,” he said.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, hailed the initiative as timely and aligned with the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063). “Let us recommit to a region built on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability,” she urged.
EU Delegation Deputy Head of Cooperation in Botswana, Mr. Catalin Gherman, reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to supporting SADC’s trade ambitions. He highlighted the programme’s contribution to the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package, which aims to mobilize €150 billion for Africa’s green and digital transformation.
UNIDO’s Southern Africa Representative, Mr. Diego Masera, reflected on the decades-long partnership between SADC, the EU, and UNIDO. He called for deeper regional integration to empower industries, enhance infrastructure, and foster inclusive development.
ITC’s Director of Country Programmes, Mr. Escipion Joaquin Oliveira Gomez, described the SADC component as a strategic opportunity to integrate small businesses into regional and global value chains, driving productivity and industrial growth.
A Vision for the Future
The ATCMA–SADC Programme represents a unified commitment by SADC Member States, the EU, and the UN to advance inclusive industrialization and regional integration. It supports key frameworks including the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap, SADC Vision 2050, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).