The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and with the support of development partners for the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in the SADC Region (PROFISHBLUE Project), convened the 7th Project Steering Committee (PSC-7) meeting at Pamodzi Hotel, in Lusaka, Zambia, on 25 September 2025.
The PROFISHBLUE Project is being implemented by the SADC Secretariat in close partnership with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), WorldFish, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The objective of this technical forum was to review progress made since the 6th Steering Committee meeting held in March 2025, consider the recommendations from the 6th supervision mission, and provide strategic guidance on the next phases of implementation. The Committee further reviewed updates on the status of project delivery, including the presentation and validation of the 2025/26 Annual Work Plan and Budget.
The meeting was officially opened by Dr. Andriantsilavo Jean Michel Rabary, Director of Blue Economy from Madagascar, representing the SADC Chair. Dr. Rabary underscored the importance of the meeting as pivotal in guiding the final stages of the project. He highlighted the need to assess sustainability, procurement and financial compliance, policy integration, and the completion of critical processes to ensure the project remains on track and achieves its intended outcomes.
Mr. Domingos Gove, SADC Director of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, commended the PROFISHBLUE Project as one of the region’s successful flagship initiatives. He applauded its adherence to timelines, its achievement of key targets, and its demonstration of shared commitment towards advancing regional integration, food security, and sustainable development through the Blue Economy.
Ms. Ndapanda Kanime, Senior Programme Officer for Natural Resources and Wildlife at the SADC Secretariat, reminded the PSC members of their roles as outlined in the approved Terms of Reference (TORs). These include: overseeing the operations of the PROFISHBLUE project through regular PSC meetings; approving work plans and budgets; reviewing progress and providing guidance on addressing bottlenecks; serving as a technical advisory body to the Project Leadership Team; and endorsing and recommending changes requiring action by the leadership team.
She further highlighted the key objectives of the PROFISHBLUE PSC meeting, namely: to receive updates on actions arising from the previous PSC meeting; to review recommendations from the 6th supervision mission; and to receive updates on the status of project implementation, including progress on the Annual Work Plan and Budget.
The PSC meeting had the following core objectives:
Review the annual work plan and budget for 2025/26;
Review implementation progress and provide guidance on addressing bottlenecks;
Provide technical advisory and guidance to the Project Leadership Team;
Review changes within its mandate; and
Endorse and recommend adjustments requiring leadership action.
The PROFISHBLUE Project continues to stand as a flagship initiative of SADC, transforming regional aspirations into tangible results. It plays a critical role in strengthening fisheries governance, promoting trade and innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities for communities across the region.
