Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on SADC nations to halt raw-material exports and ramp up local processing, arguing that value-addition in minerals and farming will supercharge regional trade, create jobs, and retain wealth across Africa

Speaking at a SADC gathering, President Mnangagwa stressed that the bloc must add value to its heritage-based resources from minerals to agricultural produce to keep wealth within African borders.

Mnangagwa explained that the primary goal is to ensure that they add value to their heritage-based resources and move away from exporting raw materials and he said this urging member states to harmonize regulations in agricultural processing and infrastructure development.

He argued that processing minerals and farm produce locally would boost intra-regional trade, create jobs, foster innovation, and retain the value that rightfully belongs to the region's people.

Meanwhile reports indicates that the push aligns with SADC's broader industrialization agenda, though analysts note that implementation will require significant investment in energy, transport, and technology.