€25M EU-Backed ATCMA–SADC Programme Launched to Boost Trade and SME Growth
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), has officially launched the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) – SADC Programme, a €25 million regional initiative aimed at strengthening trade competitiveness and expanding market access across the SADC region.
Unveiled during the 8th edition of the SADC Industrialization Week (SIW), the ATCMA–SADC Programme is part of the broader EU-funded €200 million ATCMA umbrella initiative, covering five African regions and a continental component under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
Jointly implemented by UNIDO and ITC, the programme targets increased competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Southern Africa. It aims to align regional products with international standards, improve quality infrastructure, and promote inclusive industrial development, thereby stimulating economic diversification, value addition, and job creation.
The initiative also places emphasis on women- and youth-led SMEs, ensuring inclusive participation in regional and global value chains while promoting sustainable business practices, access to finance, and fair trade mechanisms.
In her remarks, H.E. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary, described the programme as “a timely and strategic initiative,” aligning with the ongoing implementation of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063). She reaffirmed the region’s commitment to industrial innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
Madagascar’s Minister of Industrialization and Trade, H.E. David Ralambofiringa, emphasized the opportunity for local SMEs to expand export potential and address non-tariff barriers. “This programme is not just about market access, but also about removing technical hurdles, improving quality, and boosting our SMEs’ international competitiveness,” he said.
Catalin Gherman, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC, highlighted the programme’s significance in reducing market barriers and building resilient value chains. He noted that the ATCMA–SADC is part of the Global Gateway Africa–Europe Investment Package, aiming to mobilize €150 billion to support Africa’s green and digital transformation.
Diego Masera, UNIDO’s Regional Representative for Southern Africa, reiterated the organization’s long-term commitment to Africa’s industrial development. “This is a call to empower local industries, enhance value addition, and create pathways out of poverty through inclusive growth,” he said.
Escipion Joaquin Oliveira Gomez, ITC Director of Country Programmes, added that the initiative will empower small businesses to play a greater role in regional, continental, and global trade, driving industrial productivity and higher value-added goods.
The ATCMA–SADC Programme underlines a shared commitment by SADC, the EU, UNIDO, and ITC to regional integration, inclusive growth, and sustainable economic development. It also supports key frameworks such as the SADC Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The launch featured both physical and virtual participation from government officials, private sector representatives, development partners, and media from across the region, ensuring broad stakeholder engagement as the programme begins its implementation phase.
