“The global arena for foreign direct investment (FDI) has become much more fluid and complex in the five years from 2010 to 2015. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a
region has shown exceptional growth but relatively lacklustre FDI inflows. Investment protocols might be revised, as SADC needs to re-envisage itself as an investment destination. It currently receives mostly resource-based investment in subsequent supporting service
industries. The end of 2014 saw sharp declines in commodity prices,
especially oil, and forecasts show a sluggish return to previous levels. This requires SADC policymakers to take a new look at current investment policies and attitudes. Global value chains and
spatial factors show that dated ideological policymaking will need
to be replaced with proven, growth-orientated developmental strategies.”