Introduction

The bioeconomy is a rapidly evolving economic paradigm designed to reduce dependence on fossil resources and promote biodiversity conservation. In Africa, the bioeconomy acts as a vital tool for growth and safeguarding natural assets, yet the continent currently derives less than 10% of its biomass value. This report outlines how a shared regional strategy for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) can leverage competitive advantages, harmonise policies, and position the region as a pioneer in nature-based industries.

The SADC context: the bioeconomy opportunity

SADC hosts an estimated 25% of the world’s critical energy transition minerals, but there is an urgent need to move away from historical extractive patterns towards local beneficiation and industrialisation. The region’s biological wealth offers a parallel pathway to shape global economic trajectories. With 40% to 85% of SADC citizens living in rural areas and depending on natural resources, the bioeconomy can help build climate resilience and strengthen rural economies while avoiding the significant economic costs associated with environmental inaction.

Mapping the potential: high growth sectors for SADC’s bioeconomy

The report identifies six priority sectors with significant potential for growth and transition. Agriculture, agroprocessing, and food systems remain the dominant opportunity, with Africa’s agricultural sector projected to reach a gross production value of US$1 trillion by 2030. Climate-smart agriculture is expected to generate over 377,000 new jobs by 2030, with processed agricultural products offering margins three to five times higher than raw commodities.

The biotechnology and bioprocessing sector in Africa is projected to reach US$138.2 billion by 2030. Opportunities exist in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, and the valorisation of indigenous knowledge systems. Bioenergy and biofuels offer a response to energy insecurity, with the African bioenergy market projected to be worth US$17.6 billion by 2035. For example, Zimbabwe’s Chisumbanje ethanol project produces approximately 40 million litres of ethanol per year, reducing fuel import expenditures.

The blue economy currently contributes 2% of SADC GDP, but it could support 57 million jobs across Africa by 2030 through sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and seaweed cultivation. The circular and waste economy remains largely untapped; however, since 50% of waste in sub-Saharan Africa is organic, there is a major opportunity for waste valorisation. Finally, the wildlife-based and biodiversity economy is estimated to contribute about 4.6% of the region’s GDP, driven by high-value ecotourism, hunting, and bioprospecting.

Mainstreaming the bioeconomy: from individual sectors to a regional strategy

Realising the bioeconomy’s full potential requires a whole-of-government approach rather than isolated sectoral initiatives. It must be championed by ministries of finance, trade, and industry rather than solely by science or environment ministries. To turn fragmented efforts into investable opportunities, the region requires four critical enablers: the coordination of strategic investment, policy and regulatory harmonisation, investment in skills and research capacity, and the establishment of credible monitoring baselines.

Mobilising capital for the regional bioeconomy

Bioeconomy financing in the SADC region is currently at an early stage and remains fragmented. A scalable financing strategy depends on ‘capital stacking’, where public and concessional capital absorbs early-stage risks to crowd in commercial lenders. The report highlights the conceptualisation of the African Bioeconomy Finance Hub, which aims to support the continent in capturing 50% of its biomass value by 2035. Blended finance and risk-sharing instruments, such as those provided by the African Guarantee Fund, are essential to unlock commercial lending for small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs).

Conclusions

The report concludes with five priority actions for immediate implementation. SADC should explicitly name the bioeconomy as a key driver in the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (SISR) 2015–2063 and develop a dedicated regional bioeconomy framework. Furthermore, the region must coordinate trade corridors to support cross-border value chains, pool regional expertise and finance for research and development (R&D) hubs, and use regional diplomacy to position SADC as a competitive global supplier of sustainable bio-based products.