Harmonization of regional industrialization strategies and policies in Southern Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which industrialization strategies and policies in Southern Africa, in particular the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) industrialization policy and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) industrialization strategy, are aligned with one another and with other regional, continental and international industrialization frameworks. The aim is to contribute to the achievement of a more coherent and common vision in industrial development and transformation in the region, while also harnessing the trade opportunities arising from the Tripartite Free Trade Area agreed upon between COMESA, the East African Community (EAC) and SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area. More specifically, the study analyses industrialization strategies and policies of SADC, COMESA and the Tripartite Free Trade Area to identify the extent to which they are aligned and consistent among themselves, and aligned with international and African continental frameworks and aspirations. The study has also identified the potential barriers to the incorporation and mainstreaming in national law and frameworks of regional industrialization policies and recommended actions to facilitate and expedite harmonization, incorporation and implementation of the regional industrialization policies in Southern Africa.