On May 2nd, 2024, the delegation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) led by Dr. Johansein Rutaihwa, Senior Program Officer for Industrialization and Competitiveness, embarked on the mission to the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania to explore avenues for fostering collaboration between two organisations.
The SADC mission to ESAMI is in pursuit of regional cooperation and development, particularly in augmenting the skills and capabilities of the workforce across SADC Member States.
The ESAMI Acting Director General, Dr. Peter Kiuluku, welcomed the SADC Delegation and stressed the importance of collaboration between SADC and ESAMI in the areas of Trade and Trade Facilitation, Trade in Services, E-Commerce, Trade and Gender Trade Finance and Investment; Industrial Development; MSME Development; Leadership and Management; Sustainable Development; Tourism and other services sectors and human capital.
ESAMI, standing as a beacon of Pan-African intergovernmental cooperation, boasts a rich legacy spanning over four decades. Owned by ten governments in the Eastern and Southern African region, including Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, ESAMI has continually strived towards excellence in management education and strategic planning. Recognized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as a Centre of Excellence and ISO certified, ESAMI’s influence extends beyond borders, embodying the spirit of collective progress.
One of ESAMI's notable endeavours, the establishment of the Trade Policy Training Centre in Africa (ESAMI-TRAPCA) in December 2006, underscores its commitment to fostering economic growth and development. ESAMI-TRAPCA plays a pivotal role in providing technical expertise to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in various aspects of international trade, ranging from trade policy formulation to the implementation of trade agreements.
The significance of this collaboration transcends mere administrative formalities; it embodies a shared vision for regional prosperity and development. By leveraging ESAMI's expertise in management education and strategic planning, coupled with SADC's commitment to as stipulated in the SADC Vision 20250 and RISDP 2020-2030, this partnership can catalyse transformative change across the SADC region and unlock the full potential of Eastern and Southern Africa.
The engagement between SADC and ESAMI is anticipated as the beginning of a journey towards a robust partnership between SADC and ESAMI, resulting in a future defined by prosperity, progress, and shared prosperity.
