The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat, the Government of Zambia and key regional and international partners, successfully convened the 13th Industry Stakeholders’ Retreat in Lusaka, Zambia. The gathering served as a platform for deepening coordination and fast-tracking implementation of the Niamey Action Plan and reflected a shared determination to upgrade Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development from policy mentions to policy priorities in line with Africa’s aspirations under Agenda 2063.

The meeting brought together representatives from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the African Business Council (AfBC), UN agencies, development partners, and the private sector to assess progress, align efforts, and commit to collective actions that advance the continent’s industrial transformation.

Opening the meeting week-long meeting, Mr. William Simwanza, who represented the Director of Industry Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism at the AUC, Mrs Ron Osman Omar emphasized the urgent need to translate existing policy frameworks into concrete action through accelerated implementation. Moreover, support from development partners remained strong. UNIDO, represented by Mr. Victor Djemba, reiterated its commitment to Africa’s industrialization and called for improved alignment between regional and continental frameworks. Similarly, other international partners, including UNDP and WIPO, emphasized the importance of evidence-based policies and institutional capacity to support implementation of industry and MSME Development activities across all levels.

Throughout the deliberations, stakeholders acknowledged the progress made since the last retreat while noting the need to deepen coordination among stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts and activities. One of the central pillars of the discussions was the need for robust resource mobilization to support the objectives of the Niamey Action Plan, and the domestication of the MSME Strategy. This includes strengthening public-private partnerships, attracting strategic investments in manufacturing and infrastructure, building innovation-driven economies, and presenting clear evidence of strategic alignment. Stakeholders emphasized that continental initiatives such as the Enterprise Africa Network (EAN), African Women in Processing (AWIP) amongst others, must evolve from platforms into performance tools to actively coordinate tailored support, connect MSMEs to real-time data, and measuring outcomes to measure impact.

To promote accountability and transparency, the retreat also recommended strategies to implement measurable progress-tracking mechanisms, including performance scorecards and an overarching matrix to be presented by the AUC. These tools are expected to provide a clearer picture of where implementation is succeeding, and where additional support or coordination is required.

In the same spirit of reform and synergy, participants addressed lingering challenges such as fragmented platforms, insufficient institutional capacity at the REC level, and low levels of awareness among newly appointed officials regarding continental priorities. These concerns prompted a strong call to consolidate multiple forums, streamline stakeholder engagement, and ensure that regional and continental strategies are not only communicated, but actively domesticated by Member States.

The meeting also reiterated the importance of smarter formalization strategies. Drawing on individual experience, participants agreed that formalization cannot be driven by compliance enforcement alone, but by incentives that create real value for small businesses. The goal, as articulated is to ensure that African goods meet not only domestic demand but are ready for global markets, fully compliant, competitive, and proudly “Made in Africa.”

The Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) programme was presented as a cornerstone of the AUC industrial effort. As one of the largest and most comprehensive trade competitiveness initiatives ever undertaken on the continent, ATCMA aims to improve livelihoods, employment, and economic growth through increased sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade. Funded by EU and implemented by AUC, ITC and UNIDO, ATCMA focuses on translating policy frameworks into actionable priorities. Central to the programme is the elevation of MSMEs as key drivers of economic development, aligning with Africa’s broader industrial transformation goals outlined in Agenda 2063. Through innovative platforms like the Enterprise Africa Network and African Women in Processing, ATCMA seeks to build resilient, competitive markets that empower African businesses to thrive locally and globally.

Beyond the retreat, the African Union Commission committed to a continuous coordination and oversight role, ensuring that progress is measured, challenges are addressed, and success is shared. Among the immediate follow-up actions are the consolidation of all commitments into an implementation matrix which is meant to allow partners update their initiatives, revive digital coordination platforms, and strengthen collaboration with RECs to support the domestication of the Niamey Action Plan.

In closing, the African Union Commission reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the outcomes of the meeting into an implementation matrix with clear responsibilities, timelines, and follow-up structures. With deeper integration across initiatives, institutional coordination, and partner alignment, the Commission reiterated the need for further collaboration amongst initiatives to complement each other to achieve the desired industrial development for Africa’s continental transformation.

Media Contact

Oloyede Abimifoluwa | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail OloyedeA@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Meaza Tezera | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail Meazat@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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