BUSA participated in the SADC High-Level Small and Medium Enterprises Public-Private Dialogue Forum, convened to advance the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) SME Development and Competitiveness Strategy (2025–2029).

The engagement aligns directly with BUSA’s policy priorities of strengthening SME competitiveness, enabling an environment that supports investment and growth, and deepening regional economic integration. The Strategy provides an important framework for addressing structural constraints faced by SMEs, including access to markets, finance, skills, and participation in regional value chains.

From an organised business perspective, the emphasis is on effective implementation. Translating the Strategy into impact requires coordinated public–private partnerships, policy certainty, and bankable programmes that can be delivered at scale. Ensuring alignment between regional objectives and national policy frameworks will be critical to supporting enterprise development, job creation, and inclusive growth.

BUSA remains committed to working with government, regional institutions, and social partners to support practical, outcome-driven implementation of the Strategy in a manner that strengthens the competitiveness of the SADC region and delivers tangible benefits for SMEs.

? SADC SME Development and Competitiveness Strategy (2025–2029):
https://www.sadc.int/document/sadc-smes-development-and-competitiveness-strategy-2025-2029