The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers has called for the accelerated implementation of policies and programmes to advance regional integration and development.
The call was made at the conclusion of the two-day Council of Ministers meeting held in Pretoria from 12 to13 March 2026 under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”.
The meeting was opened and chaired by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
South Africa is currently leading the regional bloc following its election as the interim Chairperson of SADC during a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 7 November 2025.
Minister Lamola called for enhanced regional cooperation to make a tangible difference in the lives of the SADC citizens through improved livelihoods, jobs, food security, energy access and resilience.
He also stressed that SADC citizens are looking forward to seeing regional integration producing meaningful economic opportunities and improving their prospects for a better future.
“If integration remains rhetorical, confidence in our common agenda will diminish. But if we act decisively and implement agreed commitments effectively, our region has the potential to emerge as a dynamic force for industrial growth, innovation and sustainable development,” the Minister said.
He called on the Member States to strengthen resource mobilisation efforts, ratify legal instruments that support regional cooperation, and leverage the opportunities that arise from strategic partnerships.
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers noted progress made, including the expansion of digital connectivity, with internet penetration in the region reaching 54%.
Progress was also reported in infrastructure development through the rollout of One-Stop Border Posts and the addition of more than 14 000 megawatts of new generation capacity, which has increased the share of renewable energy in the regional energy mix from about 25% to 38%.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi highlighted that consolidating peace and security remains a top priority for regional development.
“Without stability, industrialisation falters, investment declines, and Vision 2050 slips beyond reach,” Magosi said.
He added that the region continues to engage actively in addressing the situation in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar to find a sustainable solution to the peace, security and governance challenges facing the two countries.
On trade integration, the SADC Executive Secretary highlighted the advancements made in increasing intra‑SADC trade in manufactured goods which has risen modestly from 19% to 22%, reflecting progress in market integration and value chain development.
He called on Member State to put in place measures to eliminate trade barriers and boost economic growth.
Magosi highlighted that the region is repositioning the mining sector as a catalyst for industrialisation, with the current shift in focus from exportation of raw materials to value addition.
"Our challenge has never been scarcity, but value addition," Magosi said, citing the revision of the SADC Protocol on Mining to align with its Regional Mining Vision and the adoption of the Critical Minerals Framework at the G20 Summit as opportunities for SADC to reshape global supply chains and fuel prosperity at home.
On resource mobilisation to support regional integration and development, Magosi stressed the importance of the Regional Development Fund (RDF), a regional financing mechanism for driving regional integration and development.
“The RDF is our vehicle for transformation. Without it, we stand still. And with it, we can boldly move forward together,” he said.
Key outcomes of the Council of Ministers meeting
The Council approved the 2026–2027 Annual Corporate Plan, which outlines interventions and outputs designed to accelerate the implementation of the priorities of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.
These priorities include Peace, Security, and Good Governance; Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure Development in Support of Regional Integration; Social and Human Capital Development; as well as cross-cutting issues such as Gender, Youth, Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management.
In light of geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, climate-induced shocks, and disruptions in global supply chains, all of which directly affect the SADC region, Council resolved to convene an urgent meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to assess the impact of these geopolitical developments on the region.
The Council approved three years of funding for 12 projects to be implemented in SADC Member States under the SADC HIV and AIDS Special Fund Round IV. The selected projects focus, among other areas, on HIV prevention research; integration of mental health services; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-based Violence prevention and response; and targeted interventions for key populations, including both in-school and out-of-school youth.
Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were approved between SADC and Japan, the African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
These agreements are designed to strengthen cooperation in key areas that align with regional priorities, Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The next Ordinary Council meeting will take place in August 2026, ahead of the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in eThekwini, KwaZulu Natal. – SAnews.gov.za
