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UNIDO ACP Business-Friendly Newsletter - July-December 2025

Published 4 months ago • 5 min read

Season's Greetings

As the year draws to a close, we thank you for your support and interest in UNIDO's ACP Business-Friendly activities throughout 2025. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and engaged with our work.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

New UNIDO-ZDA Report: "Zambia's Business Climate at a Glance"

The report presents a comprehensive view of foreign direct investment dynamics in Zambia. Conducted jointly by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and UNIDO, the survey captures investor experiences, reinvestment trends, sectoral performance, and key drivers of business expansion, based on evidence from the UNIDO-ZDA pilot survey of foreign direct investment enterprises.

Strengthening Africa’s certification ecosystem to support SMEs and boost intra-African trade

On 24 October, UNIDO convened regional and international quality infrastructure partners under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, funded by the European Union and the OACPS, to officially launch capacity-building support for African SMEs working towards product certification.

UNIDO Invest in ACP at the EU-Zambia Business Forum | 12-14 November

Between 12 and 14 November, UNIDO supported the European Union Delegation in Lusaka with the organization of an investment pitching session supporting the Agriculture track of the EU-Zambia Lobito Business Forum, managing a investment opportunity pitching session held on Day 2.

Empowering Trainers to Drive Investment Analysis Excellence in Ethiopia and Nigeria | 20-24 October

On October 24th, UNIDO uccessfully concluded the COMFAR Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop in Addis Ababa (20–24 October 2025), equipping 22 professionals from institutions in Ethiopia (21) and Nigeria (1) with advanced skills in investment project appraisal and financial analysis.

UNIDO at WAIPA's WIC2025: Fostering Impactful Investment | 21-23 October

At the 29th World Investment Conference (WIC 2025) in Sharjah, UAE, UNIDO and WAIPA co-hosted a high-level panel on “Scaling Impact: Aligning Investment Strategies with the SDGs.”

Highlights from the EY Luxembourg “Unlocking Impact Investing” event | 16 October

On 16 October, UNIDO was invited by EY Luxembourg to join the “Unlocking Impact Investing” dialogue exploring how finance can drive inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Tenant-level survey launched with Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) | 22 September

GFZA launched its tenant-level survey, with over 100 companies participating online. The session was highly interactive, with companies asking insightful questions about the survey and the UNIDO ACP Business-Friendly programme.

Launch of the African SEZs Academy Pilot Training| 15-18 September

From visionary keynotes and interactive exchanges on the future of Africa’s Special Economic Zones to in-depth technical sessions and field visits, the Academy brought together leaders and practitioners from across the continent.

Supporting African Start-ups at the Intra-African Trade Fair | 4-10 September

Last week at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, 20 outstanding Fellows from the Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) showcased their entrepreneurial talent at the African Union Commission Pavilion, with UNIDO's on-site support.

Strengthening Cameroon’s investment promotion efforts and global business ties | 7 August

On 7 August, API Cameroon, with the support of UNIDO & the ACP Business-Friendly Programme funded by the EU and the OACPS, hosted the second major international business webinar - this time connecting Indian and Cameroonian enterprises.

Video: Unlocking Investment in Zambia - Progress from 2019 to Date | 6 August

Since 2019 under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme, UNIDO has been working with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to help Zambia make significant progress in attracting and facilitating sustainable investment.

Supporting investment project owners at the Caribbean Investment Forum | 29-31 July

This summer at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2025, investment project owners went through a rigorous evaluation and training journey to get investment-ready with UNIDO's support within the ACP Business-Friendly.

IAP Article: It’s not “business as usual” in African, Caribbean and Pacific Investment Promotion Agencies | 23 July

Rethinking how we support investment promotion in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries is no longer optional. A new UNIDO study shows that “business as usual” simply does not match the realities faced by ACP Investment Promotion Agencies.

Strengthening Investment Analysis Capacity with COMFAR 4 | 7-11 July 2025

In July, UNIDO hosted its second COMFAR 4 Beginners Training at the Vienna International Centre. The session brought together 14 colleagues from across the organization for a hands-on introduction to the latest generation of UNIDO’s flagship investment analysis tool - the Computer Model for Feasibility Analysis and Reporting (COMFAR).

UNIDO at the Invest-Zambia International Conference | 16-18 July 2025

Between 16-18 July 2025, UNIDO took part in the Invest-Zambia International Conference, showcasing how strategic partnerships and technical assistance can unlock transformative, generational investments in Zambia.

Strengthening Laboratory Capacity and Accreditation in the Pacific | October-November

In support of the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI) Initiative, UNIDO supported a technical mission to the Pacific to assess laboratory testing capacities and accreditation readiness in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

Advancing accreditation capacity across Africa through coordinated action | 29 October

On 29 October, UNIDO and partners held a Scoping Meeting to launch capacity-building support for 32 pre-selected Conformity Assessment Bodies across Africa under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme.

Development of the Africa Quality Awards Scheme (AQAS) and its legal framework | 18 September

The ACP QI team held a scoping meeting on the 18th of September to introduce the two international experts who will be leading the development of the AQAS and its legal framework to the Africa partners who included the PAQI institutions, the AUC and the AfCFTA.

QI Sensitisation in Caribbean Schools | 15-17 September

The activity of conducting awareness raising at secondary and tertiary level education institutions on quality infrastructure has been completed. The activity’s aim was to foster a quality culture which begins in school and is facilitated through the integration of QI in the school curricular. This involved a multifaceted approach which focused on both the Bureaus and educators to ensure sustainably of the initiative by initiating the start of active and frequent dialogue between the two sectors.

Advancing Quality Analytics Tool for Policy Impact in Africa | 12 September

On 12 September, UNIDO convened an Africa Partners Meeting to discuss the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index — a flagship tool under the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). The QI4SD Index highlights the critical role of Quality Infrastructure (QI) in driving sustainable development and strengthening policy decision-making across Africa.

Strengthening Youth Engagement in Standardization: ARSO and UNIDO Hosted National Coordinators’ Consultative Training Meeting | 2 September

On 2 September, the ARSO Secretariat, in partnership with UNIDO, hosted a consultative training meeting for national coordinators of the ARSO Essay Competition. The session focused on preparations for the 13th edition, themed “The Role of Harmonized Standards in Reducing Technical Barriers to Trade to Promote Fair and Just Inter-African and Global Trade.”

5th Meeting of Africa Quality Policy Council

The 5th Meeting of Africa Quality Policy Council was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - assessing the progress made in the implementation of the resolutions made at the 4th AQP Council meeting and approving the workplan of the next reporting period.

And read related UNIDO Press Release here.

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