Commissioned by the dti · Coordinated by TIPS · Implemented by CCRED
African Industrial Development and Integration Research Project (AIDIRP)
2017–2019
The African Industrial Development and Integration Research Project (AIDIRP) was a regional value chain research programme commissioned by the then Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), coordinated by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), and implemented by CCRED in collaboration with research partners across participating countries in the region. The project examined regional competitiveness and opportunities in selected value chains across different countries with the aim of identifying mutually beneficial pathways for industrial growth, employment creation, and regional integration.
Conducted on a collaborative cross-country basis, the research sought to build a shared understanding of the structural and industrial development challenges affecting value chain development in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania. The project analysed value chain performance and competitiveness, reviewed previous policy recommendations, and identified concrete opportunities for collaborative industrialisation strategies and deeper regional integration. The findings contributed to informing cross-country industrial policy initiatives and strengthening regional value chains as a foundation for more competitive participation in global markets.