The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, and Mrs. Simone Gortz, Head of Economic Cooperation at the German Embassy, on 31st March 2026 co-chaired a SADC–Germany Technical Meeting held at the GIZ Country Office in the Gaborone, Botswana.
This meeting marked the first technical engagement following the Bilateral Negotiations between the Government of Germany and SADC, which took place in November 2025. The session provided an important platform for both parties to exchange updates on the programming, implementation, and strategic direction of ongoing cooperation between SADC and the Federal Republic of Germany.
In her remarks, Ms. Makombo N’tumba expressed appreciation to the Government of Germany for its consistent and long‑standing support to the SADC region, even in the face of intensifying geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties. She encouraged all SADC directorates and implementing partners to maintain strong focus and coordination to ensure the effective delivery of Germany‑financed programmes, noting that successful implementation is essential to advancing regional integration and development.
In her address, Mrs. Simone Gortz congratulated SADC on the successful hosting of the 2025 bilateral negotiations and commended the Secretariat for facilitating insightful field visits to projects currently under implementation. She emphasized the growing importance of demonstrating tangible impact and value for money, particularly against the backdrop of tightening Official Development Assistance (ODA) budgets globally.
The Technical Meeting reinforced the shared commitment of SADC and the Federal Republic of Germany to working collaboratively towards sustainable development, regional stability, and economic transformation across the SADC region
