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THE HIGHLIGHTS

The Launch of 2 New UNIDO-Cameroon Reports

Two new reports supporting evidence-based investment and industrial development in Cameroon were recently published under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme. The Cameroon’s Business Climate at a Glance Report was launched with the Investment Promotion Agency of Cameroon (API) in Yaoundé, while MAGZI Industrial Zones in Cameroon: Evidence, Performance and Development Priorities was presented with MAGZI on 9 and 11 June respectively. Together, the reports provide insights into investor retention, industrial zone performance and priorities for strengthening Cameroon’s investment and industrial development.

Launching the Dominican Republic’s National Metrology Strategy

On 11 February 2026, UNIDO hosted the Inception Meeting for the National Metrology Strategy of the Dominican Republic, formally launching peer-to-peer cooperation between Colombia’s National Metrology Institute (INM) and INDOCAL. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the EU-OACPS Quality Infrastructure Programme, the initiative aims to strengthen metrology services and support industrial competitiveness, consumer confidence and effective regulatory oversight.

Strengthening Investment Partnerships for SIDS

UNIDO participated in the SIDS Global Business Network Forum / Island Investment Forum 2026, held in Malé, Maldives, from 23–25 August 2026, highlighting the role of investment promotion, facilitation and matchmaking in advancing sustainable development across SIDS. UNIDO also showcased the ACP Business-Friendly Programme and its partnership with Caribbean Export Development Agency to strengthen IPA capacities, investment readiness and connections between investors and entrepreneurs.

Strengthening Trade Fair Partnerships for Africa-Europe Cooperation

At IFAT Munich, UNIDO’s Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit joined UNIDO ITPO Germany to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities under the German-African Integrated Programme on Trade Shows. Engagements with German business and trade fair partners focused on connecting African enterprises with international markets, technologies and investors, with support from the Government of Germany.

Advancing Digital Investment Promotion for African SEZs

On 15 July 2026, UNIDO and the Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) brought together 93 participants from across Africa for a webinar introducing UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS) for Special Economic Zones. The session highlighted the African SEZ Profiling Initiative and how improved investment data can strengthen visibility, facilitation and engagement with potential investors.

Strengthening Investment Facilitation for Decent Work

On 29 June 2026, UNIDO contributed to the first webinar of the Effective Investment Facilitation for Decent Work course, organized with ITCILO, ILO, WAIPA and UNCTAD. Bringing together 28 participants from 9 countries, the session explored how investment promotion agencies can attract investments that generate quality jobs, strengthen local industries and advance sustainable industrial development.

Strengthening Investment Project Appraisal Capacity in Ethiopia

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, UNIDO delivered a COMFAR Training of Trainers programme in Addis Ababa with the Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Ethiopia, certifying 15 national experts in financial and economic feasibility analysis. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the training strengthens local capacity to prepare and appraise bankable investment projects and build a sustainable pool of COMFAR trainers in Ethiopia.

Strengthening Business Diplomacy for Investment Promotion in Zambia

On 23 June 2026, UNIDO hosted an online training session with Zambian counterparts on leveraging the country’s diplomatic network for targeted investor outreach and engagement ahead of IZIC 2026. With more than 85 participants, the session strengthened practical business diplomacy capacities and was supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

Strengthening Investment Project Appraisal Capacity in Nigeria

In June 2026, UNIDO delivered COMFAR 4 User and Expert training to more than 20 representatives of the Bank of Industry Nigeria and its Business Development Service Providers. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the training strengthened national capacities in investment project preparation, financial feasibility analysis and appraisal to support the development of bankable projects.

Strengthening Investment Partnerships at the EU-Nigeria Business Forum

At the EU-Nigeria Business Forum 2026, UNIDO engaged with more than 30 businesses and institutions on investment promotion and facilitation, supported matchmaking activities and showcased COMFAR 4 for preparing bankable investment projects. The forum, held under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme, provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and identify new investment opportunities for sustainable industrial development in Nigeria.

Advancing Business Diplomacy for Investment and Partnerships

From 18–20 May 2026, UNIDO held its 5th ACP Business Diplomacy Training in Brussels, bringing together diplomats from ACP countries to strengthen practical approaches to investment promotion, private sector engagement and business diplomacy. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the training focused on stakeholder engagement, investment facilitation and developing structured business diplomacy plans.

Mainstreaming Investment Project Preparation in Ethiopia

On 22 April 2026, UNIDO held a COMFAR 4 sensitization session in Addis Ababa with colleagues from the Regional Office and National Project Coordinators, on the margins of the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum. The session explored how structured feasibility and financial analysis can be more systematically integrated into UNIDO’s technical cooperation projects and the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP 2) in Ethiopia, supporting the preparation of bankable investment projects.

Strengthening Investment Project Appraisal Capacity in Ethiopia

From 20–24 April 2026, UNIDO delivered an Advanced COMFAR training in Addis Ababa with the Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Ethiopia, certifying 16 national experts in investment project appraisal and financial analysis. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the mission also advanced eight investment opportunity profiles and continued work to develop a pipeline of bankable, investor-ready projects.

ARTICLE | Rewiring Global Supply Chains: The Role of Investment Promotion Agencies in a Sustainable Future

A new UNIDO article explores how Investment Promotion Agencies can help drive more sustainable and resilient global supply chains by promoting ESG-compliant and impact-oriented investment. It highlights the growing importance of data, sustainability requirements and public-private partnerships in aligning investment with national development and climate goals.

Advancing Investment-Ready Projects in Ethiopia

At the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum 2026 in Addis Ababa, UNIDO presented its role as a Development Partner and highlighted support provided through the Ethiopia component of the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme. The Forum showcased progress in investment promotion, including €28.2 million in investments mobilized, €708.6 million pledged by 71 firms, and 413 investment projects promoted through the UNIDO Invest in ACP Platform. At the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum 2026, the Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Ethiopia also presented eight investment projects developed with support from UNIDO under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

Promoting Sustainable Investment Opportunities at IVECF

At the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum in Vienna, UNIDO presented the Invest in ACP Platform and its pipeline of investment opportunities across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the engagement connected UNIDO’s global network with partners and potential investors to promote sustainable investment opportunities.

Connecting Investors with Bankable ACP Projects

At the 9th Sustainable Investor Summit in Vienna, UNIDO showcased bankable investment opportunities from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to institutional investors and partners from the DACH region. The engagement generated new connections and potential partnerships to advance sustainable investment under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

Advancing Women’s Participation in Investment Promotion

Since 2019, the ACP Business-Friendly Programme has supported women’s participation across capacity-building activities, with 1,199 women taking part in 682 EU- and OACPS-funded sessions, representing 41.4% of all participants. In addition, 358 investment projects on the UNIDO Invest in ACP Platform are women-led or actively support women’s empowerment, highlighting the programme’s focus on strengthening women’s access to skills, investment opportunities and finance.

Supporting Investment Along the Lobito Corridor

UNIDO supported the Angola-EU Lobito Corridor Business Forum through investment facilitation, matchmaking and project preparation, building on experience under the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme. The Forum brought together Angolan and European stakeholders to advance strategic sectors, connect bankable projects with investors and promote sustainable investment opportunities along the Corridor.

Supporting Kenya’s Investment Climate

UNIDO joined a high-level consultative roundtable hosted by the Kenya Investment Authority (InvestKenya) in preparation for the Kenya International Investment Conference 2026. Through the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme, UNIDO provided technical input to support the Invest Kenya Act 2025, with recommendations focused on investor facilitation, institutional coordination, policy predictability and reducing administrative bottlenecks for SMEs.

Strengthening Local Value Chains and Road Safety in Cameroon

A new UNIDO article highlights how local enterprises in Cameroon are contributing to road safety and local value chains through support from the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme. The programme supports SMEs through capacity building, networking and innovation, helping strengthen local expertise, create jobs and promote more resilient communities.

Strengthening Industrial Zone Management in Cameroon

The UNIDO-MAGZI business survey in Cameroon has been successfully completed, providing enterprise-level insights to complement existing industrial zone profiles. Supported by the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme, the survey strengthens evidence-based zone management and helps identify opportunities to improve competitiveness and attract sustainable investment.

Supporting Women-Led Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean

The 48th UNIDO ELLEvate story highlights María Claudia Mallarino, founder of OcoaBay, the Caribbean’s first tropical vineyard in the Dominican Republic. With support from the EU- and OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme, her venture combines sustainability, tourism and innovation while creating jobs and supporting local communities.

Highlighting the UNIDO-EU Partnership for Sustainable DEVELOPMENT

The UNIDO-EU Partnership Report highlights the ACP Business-Friendly Programme’s contribution to inclusive and sustainable industrial development across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Funded by the EU and OACPS, the programme strengthens business environments, productive capacities, investment promotion and partnerships to support resilient value chains, competitiveness and job creation.

Advancing Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development in Africa

On 21 August 2026, UNIDO’s ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, funded by the EU and OACPS, held an awareness session with PAQI to present the UNIDO QI4SD Tool and the latest QI4SD Report for Africa. The session brought together Quality Infrastructure stakeholders to explore the findings and recommendations for strengthening QI and supporting sustainable development across Africa.

World Metrology Day 2026: Building Trust Through Measurement

On World Metrology Day 2026, UNIDO highlighted the role of trusted measurement systems in strengthening policymaking, fair trade, industrial competitiveness and consumer protection. Through the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, UNIDO is supporting countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to strengthen metrology policies, legislation and institutions.

Strengthening Consumer Safety and Quality Advocacy in Africa

On 22–23 April 2026, UNIDO, ARSO and UNCTAD brought together consumer associations and stakeholders across Africa for an awareness session on consumer safety and quality advocacy. The sessions strengthened understanding of Quality Infrastructure, engagement with standards and regulatory bodies, and the capacity of consumer advocates to communicate quality-related information and promote safer markets.

6th AQPC Meeting Advances Africa’s Quality Infrastructure

The 6th Africa Quality Policy Council (AQPC) Meeting, held in Mombasa, Kenya, on 11–12 March 2026, adopted key frameworks for the Made in Africa Certification Scheme, endorsed a roadmap for the Africa Quality Awards Scheme and advanced plans to operationalize the Africa Quality Policy Action Plan. The meeting reaffirmed the role of Quality Infrastructure in supporting industrial development, trade competitiveness and sustainable growth across Africa.

Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Papua New Guinea

From 2–6 March 2026, UNIDO engaged national partners in Papua New Guinea to assess priorities for strengthening the country’s Quality Infrastructure System. The mission, supported by the EU and OACPS under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, focused on coordination, laboratory capacity, key value chains and support for MSMEs to access domestic and international markets.

Digitalization of the SHP 01 Platform

ARSO’s online standardization platform (SHP 01) was successfully completed and delivered in early 2026. The platform is now operational, with training underway for ARSO Technical Committee members to support its effective use and modernize standardization processes across Africa.

Progress in Standardization Efforts

Under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, ARSO delivered 24 standards, exceeding the initial target of 23. Five Voluntary Sustainable Standards have been approved, while 19 additional standards reached the final stage of development, covering key value chains including food, oilseeds, transport infrastructure and sustainability.

Integrating Quality Infrastructure into Education

UNIDO launched work to integrate Quality Infrastructure into Africa’s education systems, with the first Committee of Experts meeting held on 18 March 2026. The initiative aims to raise QI awareness, develop guidelines and educational modules, and strengthen educators’ capacities, including through the promotion of ISO 21001.

Supporting Conformity Assessment Bodies and SMEs

UNIDO selected 10 Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) and 8 SMEs for targeted support under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme. The CABs will receive assistance to strengthen quality management systems and progress towards accreditation, while SMEs will receive support towards product certification and improved market readiness.

Building Capacity of African Consumer Associations on Quality

UNIDO, in collaboration with ARSO and UNCTAD, is strengthening the capacity of African consumer associations on consumer protection, standards, quality and safety. The initiative is providing targeted training on quality-related advocacy and communication, building on cooperation with UNCTAD and the UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety.