Zanzibar President Calls for Strengthening African SMEs and Industrial Growth
Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi has urged African governments to intensify support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and create an enabling environment for industrial transformation. Speaking at the 31st African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) General Assembly, Mwinyi emphasized the critical need for strengthening trade competitiveness and embracing policy reforms.
“These efforts are essential to addressing economic challenges and unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade,” Mwinyi stated. He highlighted Africa’s minimal global manufacturing contribution of just 1.9 percent, despite the continent’s vast resources and growing population.
The president called for deeper integration of regulatory systems to improve locally manufactured goods’ quality. He stressed the importance of creating inclusive trade frameworks that support fair trade practices and improve producers’ livelihoods, particularly for SMEs.
Key recommendations include:
– Harmonizing standards across African countries
– Adopting modern technologies
– Investing in quality control systems
– Developing value chains in critical sectors like agro-processing, automotive, textiles, mining, and pharmaceuticals
“SMEs must position themselves at the centre of this transformation by adopting standards that enable them to compete effectively,” Mwinyi noted.
The assembly, attended by over 500 delegates from 54 African countries, represents a significant milestone in continental standardization efforts. Participants emphasized the need for a barrier-free internal market where goods and services meet global benchmarks.
The conference underscores a collective commitment to enhancing Africa’s economic competitiveness and creating sustainable development opportunities through strategic standardization and quality assurance.
