UNIDO Invest in ACP

28/07/2026

🎥 Webinar Replay – AEZO x UNIDO

We are pleased to share key moments from the recent AEZO x UNIDO Digital Tutorial Webinar on “Introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS)”.

This session brought together African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, AEZO members and partners to explore how the DIPS platform can support SEZ profile management, data validation, investment promotion, and FDI intelligence across the continent.

🌍 As we move forward, AEZO remains committed to advancing the African SEZ Profiling Initiative, strengthening digital transformation, and enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of Africa’s Special Economic Zones.

📺 In case you were unable to attend the live session, the full replay is available here: 🎥 Webinar Replay – AEZO x UNIDO
We are pleased to share key moments from the recent AEZO x UNIDO Digital Tutorial Webinar on “Introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS)”.

This session brought together African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, AEZO members and partners to explore how the DIPS platform can support SEZ profile management, data validation, investment promotion, and FDI intelligence across the continent.

🌍 As we move forward, AEZO remains committed to advancing the African SEZ Profiling Initiative, strengthening digital transformation, and enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of Africa’s Special Economic Zones.

📺 In case you were unable to attend the live session, the full replay is available here: https://youtu.be/qN6lk6dgCCw

21/07/2026

🤝 Join the Follow-Up Sessions for Personalized DIPS Support!
Following last Wednesday's successful webinar "Introduction to UNIDO's Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS)," we're inviting participants to join smaller, more focused follow-up sessions tomorrow, Wednesday.

These sessions are designed to give you individual attention, a chance to ask your specific questions and get hands-on guidance tailored to your institution, rather than in a large-group setting.

🧑‍💻 DIPS Q&A Session - 10:00 CET
A smaller, interactive space to bring your individual questions and get direct answers from the UNIDO-AEZO team. Whatever came up during the webinar, about DIPS, the platform, or the African SEZ Profiling Initiative, this is the moment to have it clarified.

Join the Q&A session:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31623624367752?p=kE3Zgq4KIlnmjV2vQj

🧑‍💻 DIPS Onboarding Session - 14:00 CET
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough on how to log into DIPS and begin profiling your institution. Ideal for SEZ authorities, industrial park representatives, investment promotion agencies, and government institutions ready to take their first steps on the platform, with support at your own pace.

Join the onboarding session:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3732576015286?p=sdGKNAzAoHKeIcTC8u

🌍 Strengthening African SEZ visibility
📊 Improving data quality and investment facilitation
🤝 Supporting the African SEZ Profiling Initiative

Missed the webinar or still have questions? These sessions are the perfect opportunity to catch up, get personalized support, and move forward with confidence.

, funded by the EU and the OACPS

17/07/2026

On 15 July, UNIDO and the Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) brought together 93 participants from across Africa for the webinar "Introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS) for African SEZs."

The session introduced stakeholders to the African SEZ Profiling Initiative, a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the availability, accessibility, and quality of investment information on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the continent.

Participants explored how UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS) support SEZ authorities, investment promotion agencies, and government institutions in managing, updating, and promoting reliable information on industrial zones and investment opportunities.

By improving data quality and enabling greater ownership of SEZ profiles, the initiative contributes to stronger investment facilitation, enhanced visibility for industrial development opportunities, and more effective engagement with potential investors.

The collaboration between UNIDO and AEZO reflects a shared commitment to advancing digital innovation, institutional cooperation, and evidence-based investment promotion across Africa.

🧑‍💻 Ready to profile your institution on DIPS?
SEZ authorities, industrial park representatives, investment promotion agencies and relevant government institutions are invited to begin the onboarding process by completing the registration form below:

Onboard your institution onto DIPS: https://forms.office.com/e/Sm8YQfxjTj

Once the form has been submitted, the UNIDO-AEZO team will provide guidance and support throughout the registration and profiling process.

Within , funded by the EU and OACPS.

16/07/2026

Effective investment facilitation goes beyond attracting capital. It is about attracting the right investments that create quality jobs, strengthen productive capacities, and support sustainable industrial development.

On June 29, UNIDO was pleased to contribute to the first webinar of the Effective Investment Facilitation for Decent Work course, organized through the longstanding collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), WAIPA - World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Representing , Stefan Kratzsch, Head of the Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit, joined fellow panelists to discuss how investment promotion agencies can help attract investments that generate lasting industrial development benefits while advancing sustainability and resilience.

The discussion highlighted the evolving role of investment promotion agencies as strategic partners in shaping investment ecosystems that deliver not only foreign direct investment, but also inclusive growth, stronger local industries, and decent work.

UNIDO is proud to contribute its expertise to this important learning initiative and to continue working with partners to strengthen investment facilitation for sustainable industrial development worldwide. Contribution insights were partly based on work supported by the EU and the OACPS within the ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

The webinar brought together 28 participants representing 9 countries across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, including Bhutan, Botswana, Fiji, Guinea, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Vanuatu, alongside representatives from international organizations. Participants included officials from investment promotion agencies, special economic zone authorities, ministries, development corporations and multilateral institutions, creating a diverse platform for exchanging experiences and strengthening capacities in sustainable investment facilitation.

15/07/2026

🔴 Happening Now – AEZO x UNIDO Webinar

We’re live!

A hands-on digital tutorial is currently underway as AEZO and UNIDO bring together African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, AEZO members and partners for an introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS).

This session highlights how digital tools can support SEZ profile management, investment promotion, data validation, and FDI intelligence across Africa.

🌍 Strengthening African SEZ visibility
💻 Exploring the DIPS platform
📊 Improving data quality and investment facilitation
🤝 Supporting the African SEZ Profiling Initiative

Stay tuned as we continue working together to advance the digital transformation and competitiveness of African Special Economic Zones.

15/07/2026

09/07/2026

⏳ 7 Days Left – AEZO x UNIDO Webinar

Only 7 days to go before our upcoming Digital Tutorial Webinar: Introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS).

Co-organized by AEZO and UNIDO, this online session will bring together African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, AEZO members and partners for a practical introduction to the DIPS platform.

Participants will explore how digital tools can support SEZ profile management, investment promotion, data validation, FDI intelligence, and the broader African SEZ Profiling Initiative.

🌍 Advancing African SEZ visibility
💻 Strengthening digital investment promotion
📊 Improving SEZ data quality
🤝 Supporting institutional collaboration across Africa
🔗 Book your place, register now: https://bit.ly/446oxdp

Stay tuned and get ready to join us for this important step toward the digital transformation of African Special Economic Zones.

09/07/2026

AEZO is pleased to announce its collaboration with UNIDO for the upcoming Digital Tutorial Webinar: “Introduction to UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion Solutions (DIPS) for African SEZs”.
Co-organized by UNIDO and AEZO, this online webinar will introduce African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, and AEZO members to the DIPS platform — a digital solution designed to strengthen investment promotion, SEZ profile management, data validation, and FDI intelligence across Africa.

As part of the African SEZ Profiling Initiative, this session will support African institutions in creating, updating, and validating their SEZ profiles within the DIPS platform, contributing to improved data quality, stronger investment facilitation, and greater visibility for African Special Economic Zones.

Through this initiative, AEZO continues to promote digital transformation, capacity building, and collaboration among African SEZ stakeholders, reinforcing the role of economic zones as key drivers of industrial development and investment attraction across the continent.

🔗 Book your place, register now: https://bit.ly/3QVHTyH
📅 Date: 8 july 2026 at 11 GMT+1
💻 Format: Virtual
🎯 Target audience: African SEZ Authorities, Ministry representatives, IPA/IPI staff, AEZO members and partners

06/07/2026

🌍 Across Africa, UNIDO is supporting EU Business Forums in 2026 as platforms that go beyond dialogue, helping transform investment opportunities into concrete partnerships and bankable projects.

Through the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, funded by the EU and the OACPS, UNIDO has contributed technical expertise in investment promotion, facilitation, project preparation and investor engagement at several flagship business forums aligned with the EU's .

Highlights include:

🤝 EU-Angola Business Forum, 16 March-6 May 2026
• Reviewed and strengthened 26 investment projects showcased on the Investment Wall
• Delivered tailored feedback to project promoters and supported pitch preparation
• Facilitated B2B engagement and investment matchmaking
• Continued supporting the Angola-EU Lobito Corridor Business Forum to connect bankable projects with investors in strategic sectors

🤝 EU-Ethiopia Business Forum, 20-22 April 2026
• Showcased over 400 investment opportunities through the UNIDO Invest in ACP Platform and the Investment Mapping Tool
• Supported the Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Ethiopia in preparing investor-ready projects, with 8 projects presented at the Forum and 7 already published on the platform
• Presented UNIDO's Investment Preparation Toolkit and achievements, including €28.2 million in investments mobilized, €708.6 million pledged by 71 firms, and engagement with 518 foreign investors

🤝 EU-Nigeria Business Forum, 25 June 2026
• Engaged with more than 30 businesses and institutions interested in investment promotion and facilitation support
• Promoted COMFAR 4 as a practical tool for preparing bankable investment projects through robust feasibility analysis
• Supported matchmaking activities and strengthened partnerships with the private sector

👉 Learn more about the UNIDO Investment Platform: https://investment.unido.org

These activities build on previous support UNIDO provided to EU Business Forum events in Kenya and Zambia undertaken during 2025. These forums demonstrate the value of combining investment promotion with practical project preparation, digital investment tools, and targeted investor outreach. By working closely with governments, investment promotion institutions, development partners and the private sector, UNIDO helps ensure that promising investment opportunities become investment-ready projects capable of attracting quality investors and generating sustainable industrial development.