Regional Cooperation: Validation workshop focuses on role of green value chains

A Validation Workshop on the theme “Developing Green Value Chains in Southern Africa in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): A Case Study of Mauritius” was held, today at Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port Louis. National stakeholders, regional representatives and development partners met to discuss strategies for strengthening climate-resilient and circular economies across Southern Africa.

The workshop was opened by the Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen, in the presence of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Janmajaising Bissoondoyal, the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board, Mr Abhimanu Kundasamy, and the Director of the Subregional Office for Southern Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Ms Eunice Kamwendo.

In his keynote address, Junior Minister Narsinghen described the AfCFTA as the most ambitious economic integration project undertaken by the African Union, with the potential to transform trade and industrial development across the continent. He pointed out that climate change is increasingly affecting trade competitiveness and regional value chains through floods, droughts and cyclones that disrupt infrastructure, logistics and production systems.

The Minister stressed that the transition towards circular and green economies should not be viewed solely as an environmental agenda, but also as a strategy for competitiveness, resilience and sustainable trade. According to him, circular economy approaches can help reduce import dependence, address resource inefficiency and strengthen resilience against climate-related disruptions by promoting recycling, waste valorisation, sustainable production and localised value chains.

Referring to the report being validated during the workshop, Mr Narsinghen highlighted that the study demonstrates how circular economy interventions embedded in trade and industrial policies can stabilise supply chains, create employment opportunities, support youth and women entrepreneurs, and strengthen compliance with emerging sustainability standards in export markets. He also highlighted the importance of regional collaboration under the AfCFTA framework, particularly through instruments such as the Rules of Origin, the Protocol on Trade in Services and the Investment Protocol all geared towards facilitating the development of regional circular infrastructure and cross-border green services.

The Junior Minister further noted that Mauritius was selected as a strategic case study due to its status as a small, open and import-dependent island economy facing acute climate and trade vulnerabilities. He recalled that Government has already embarked on a circular economy transition through initiatives such as the Circular Economy Roadmap and Action Plan, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act, and national waste segregation and circular skills programmes.

The objective of the workshop, organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa through its Subregional Office for Southern Africa, is to validate the findings, sector priorities and policy recommendations of the study through multi-stakeholder engagement. It also seeks to strengthen regional dialogue among Southern African Development Community Member States on the development of green and circular value chains within the AfCFTA framework.

14 May 2026

Email: gis@govmu.org

Website: https://gis.govmu.org

Mobile App: GIS News

Topics: Foreign Affairs