Green Industry Push Gains Pace Across Southern Africa
South Africa has concluded a national validation workshop which was aimed at refining policy recommendations designed to accelerate green industrialization across southern Africa, as governments and development partners intensify efforts to align climate actions with long-term industrial growth.
The two-day workshop, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Subregional Office for the Southern Africa in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the United Nations Trade Development (UNCTAD), reviewed findings from four regional studies focused on the advancing sustainable industrial development.
The initiative forms part of the United Nations Development Account’s 17th Tranche Project, which supports Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia in integrating climate action into industrial development strategies. The project also seeks to strengthen economic resilience while promoting sustainable, inclusive and low carbon industrial transformation across the region.
The workshop brough together Government officials, private sector, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), research institutions, development partners and the United Nations in system in South Africa to review and validate four regional studies on green industrialization, technology transfer and innovation, the circular economy and renewable energy transition. Discussions in the workshop centered on validating recommendations covering green industrialization, technology transfer and innovation, the circular economy and renewable energy transition, while identifying national priorities for improved policy coordination and regional cooperation.
Opening the Workshop, Senior Policy Advisor in the Directorate of Sustainability Programmes and Projects at South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Dr. Jenitha Badul , reaffirmed that the country’s commitment to advancing green industrialization through multi stakeholder collaboration. She also noted that partnerships remain critical in building an inclusive climate resilient industrial economy.
United Nations Resident Coordinator for South Africa Nelson Muffah also noted that green industrialization should extend beyond climate objectives and serve as a broader economic development strategy capable of supporting technology advancement, economic diversification, job creation, regional integration and inclusive growth while addressing poverty and inequality.
Private sector representatives also emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving a just transition. Speaking during the event, Ayabulela Manjezi, Project Manager for Climate, Energy and Water at the National Business Initiative, called for stronger partnerships between governments, businesses, research institutions and civil society, while stressing the need to ensure women, young people, persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities benefit from emerging opportunities within the green economy.
Representing ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa Director Eunice Kamwendo, Economic Affairs Officer Oliver Maponga highlighted that green industrialization presents Southern Africa with an opportunity to improve industrial competitiveness, strengthen regional value chains and expand access to global green markets. He also emphasized that coordinated industrial, trade, innovation and climate policies will be essential in strengthening productive capacity, accelerating technology transfer and enabling the region to capture greater value from the global green transition.
The workshop further recommended adopti0n of a private sector and MSME focused approach to encourage commercialization and adoption of green technologies. Participants emphasized the need to increase access to financing, build technical skills, broaden access to technology, create stable regulatory environments and deepen regional trade cooperation to boost value addition and competitiveness across Southern Africa.
The validated recommendations will inform the development of country-specific policy briefs and reinforce national and regional policy frameworks to support green, inclusive and resilient industrialization, while positioning Southern African economies to take advantage of opportunities arising from the global green economy.
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