The Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) concluded their two-day meeting on 13 March 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa with a call for accelerated implementation of regional policies and programmes to advance regional integration and development.
The meeting which was held under the theme, “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”, was opened and chaired by Honourable Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.
Hon. 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, stressing 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,” Hon. Lamola highlighted.
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 acknowledged progress the SADC region has made in promoting and deepening regional integration, citing gains made in digital expansion, with internet penetration now at 54%, in regional integration infrastructure through the rollout of One-Stop Border Posts, and the addition of more than 14,000 megawatts of new generation capacity while increasing the share of renewables in the regional energy mix from about 25% to 38%.
The SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi highlighted that consolidating peace, and security remains a top priority for the SADC region. “Without stability, industrialisation falters, investment declines, and Vision 2050 slips beyond reach,” said H.E. Magosi, adding that the region continues to engage actively in addressing the situation in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar to find 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.
H.E. 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," H.E. 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, H.E. 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. Furthermore, Council requested the Ministers of Finance and Investment, together with Central Bank Governors, supported by the SADC Macroeconomic Subcommittee, to fast-track an assessment of the second-round effects of global geopolitical developments on the various sectors of the region.
Council emphasised the importance of strengthening financing for the implementation of the priorities of the RISDP 2020–2030 by enhancing predictable and diversified financing mechanisms. This includes the operationalisation of the Regional Development Fund and the exploration of blended finance and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modalities. To this end, Council urged Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the 2016 Agreement on the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund, a mechanism for mobilising resources to support the implementation of regional priorities, to fast-track their national processes in line with their jurisdictional procedures.
Council urged Member States to accelerate a coordinated regional response to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), including strengthened cross-border surveillance, harmonised vaccination strategies, enhanced information sharing, and resource mobilisation, to safeguard livestock-based livelihoods, trade, and food security. Council urged Member States to accelerate the development of irrigation infrastructure and water harvesting systems to mitigate rainfall variability; invest in seed research to produce varieties resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases; and strengthen agricultural extension services.
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.
Regarding the state of disasters in the SADC region, Council commended the Republics of Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for supporting Member States affected by disasters, and urged all Member States to continue demonstrating solidarity in times of crisis. Council further urged Member States to prioritise investment in post-disaster recovery to strengthen infrastructure resilience and reduce future disaster losses through Climate Change Adaptation and building-back-better strategies.
Council welcomed the independent Mid-Term Review and Risk Assessment Reports of the RISDP 2020–2030. It directed the Secretariat to convene a Technical Workshop with Member States by June 2026 to review the recommendations and update the Implementation Plan. The revised plan will prioritise flagship initiatives that drive regional growth, strengthen climate resilience, accelerate industrialisation, and improve infrastructure connectivity across the SADC region.
Council urged Member States to support the establishment of the SADC Pooled Procurement Services (SPPS) group contracting model, a procurement approach whereby Member States jointly conduct and negotiate tender processes. This support should be demonstrated through active involvement, participation, and the provision of relevant information to advance the SPPS group contracting processes, in line with the principle of variable geometry.
Council approved three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) 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). Specifically, the SADC–Japan MoU focuses on infrastructure, trade, agriculture, and peace and security; the SADC–WFP MoU aims to enhance food security, social protection, and disaster risk management to combat hunger and malnutrition; and the SADC–AWEI MoU seeks to advance the wildlife economy through research, capacity building, and sustainable value chains, while promoting biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Council directed the SADC Secretariat to facilitate meetings with the SADC Committee of Ambassadors and High Commissioners and urged Member States with diplomatic representation accredited to Botswana to actively participate in the Committee’s work. This engagement is intended to enhance coordination, consultation, and support for the effective implementation of SADC programmes and activities.
The Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC, ensuring that policies and decisions are effectively implemented. It is composed of Ministers from each of the 16 Member States, typically from Foreign Affairs, International Relations, Economic Planning, Finance, or Trade, and meets twice a year. The next Ordinary Council meeting will take place in August 2026, ahead of the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.
