Harare, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with support from the German government, is set to host the first-ever regional Leather Forum in Bulawayo, aimed at driving innovation, investment, and policy alignment within the sector across Member States.
According to a statement on Friday, the Forum, to be held on Tuesday next week, represents a major milestone in the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063), which envisions transforming the region from a predominantly resource-driven economy into one propelled by value addition and high productivity.
The event is being made possible through technical support from GIZ under the Cooperation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration (CESARE) program.
Bringing together approximately 50 participants, the Forum will convene policymakers, private sector players, researchers, development partners, and entrepreneurs under one roof to stimulate dialogue and collaboration.
“The Forum will serve as a dynamic platform to facilitate policy and regulatory harmonisation, assess progress on the implementation of the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework, and promote innovation, investment, and trade across borders,” said SADC.
With a focus on turning strategy into action, the one-day Forum will feature presentations by the African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) on both regional and continental perspectives.
Member States will also share updates on their national implementation of the Regional Leather Model Policy and Framework, following a directive by the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration (MTF).
As part of its cooperation with SADC, the German government has already supported value chain development in the sector, particularly through upgrading tanneries, enhancing production standards, and creating stronger business linkages in countries like Botswana and Namibia.
“By facilitating strategic dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, the Forum is expected to produce actionable insights and a roadmap for the continued development of the leather sector,” SADC said.
It further noted that outcomes from the gathering are expected to harmonize policies, improve product quality, and unlock new export opportunities not only across the SADC region but also globally.
As Bulawayo gears up to host this historic Forum, the city reaffirms its stature as a key industrial hub in Zimbabwe and the region.
The event reflects growing momentum within SADC to align economic development goals with practical sectoral collaboration, starting with leather, but setting the tone for broader regional integration and transformation.
New Ziana
