There is growing recognition of the importance of productive capacities in the development of LDCs. However, current development strategies tend to emphasize the creation of new capacities without paying enough attention to how to utilize, enhance and maintain existing ones. There is also lack of operational frameworks on how to build such capacities. In this context, the main objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of selected Least Developed Countries in Africa to build, utilize and maintain productive capacities to achieve the SDGs. The project aims at forging an improved capacity among national government officials and stakeholders in selected African LDCs to formulate and implement holistic and coherent strategies and policies to build, utilize and maintain productive capacities, for structural economic transformation to achieve the SDGs. The project will cover three LDCs in Africa: Burkina Faso, Rwanda and United Republic of Tanzania (the). The selection of the countries is demand-driven to address national policy priorities and ad hoc requests of member States. The project will focus on enhancing capacities to formulate and implement policies – and translate the agreed priorities and commitments into action plans. The aim is also to promote coherence between the implementation of trade and industrial policy strategies at the sectoral level. The main outcome of the project will be country-specific operational frameworks on how to build and foster productive capacity, and related priority actions for implementation. The main, or direct beneficiaries of the project include policymakers from the main line ministries, national and regional advisors and experts, statistical offices, private sector associations and chamber of commerce, R&D and innovation centers, and civil society actors including academic institutions. The project will be implemented in collaboration with UNECA as well as other relevant regional organizations and UN entities.