The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges (CoSSE), successfully participated in AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 7 to 9 September 2026, using the global investment platform to showcase Southern Africa as an integrated investment destination and to promote regional capital market integration as a catalyst for investment, industrialisation and sustainable development.
AIM Congress brings together governments, businesses, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and financial market leaders through structured engagements and strategic partnerships designed to facilitate investment and economic cooperation. SADC's participation was part of its broader strategy to mobilise capital to implement SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.
A key highlight of the event was the SADC-CoSSE Investment Forum, held under the theme:
"Mobilising Capital Markets for Regional Investment, Industrialisation and Sustainable Growth in SADC"
The Forum provided a platform to demonstrate how integrated and interconnected capital markets can mobilise domestic, regional and international capital to finance infrastructure, industrialisation, energy transition, tourism, climate resilience and other strategic development priorities across Southern Africa.
Leading the SADC Secretariat Delegation, the SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Elias M. Magosi emphasised that Southern Africa is emerging as an integrated regional investment market supported by policy reforms, financial market integration initiatives and growing regional cooperation.
"SADC is not merely a collection of national markets. SADC is emerging as an integrated regional investment destination," said H.E. Magosi. "The future of regional development will increasingly depend on our ability to mobilise domestic, regional and international capital at scale."
The Forum showcased investment opportunities across priority sectors, including energy and power infrastructure, transport and logistics corridors, mining and mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, tourism, digital infrastructure, manufacturing and regional value chains. Discussions also explored innovative financing instruments such as infrastructure bonds, green bonds, sustainability-linked instruments and regional investment funds.
One of the principal attractions at the Forum was the presentation and demonstration of the SADC Exchange Gateway, the operational platform being developed under the CoSSE Interconnectivity Project. The platform is designed to connect participating stock exchanges across the SADC region through a Smart Order Router (SOR), creating an integrated regional capital market that facilitates cross-border investment, enhances liquidity and improves access to capital.
The initiative complements other regional financial integration programmes, including the SADC Real-Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS), capital market harmonisation initiatives and ongoing efforts to create a seamless regional investment ecosystem.
Beyond the Forum, SADC and CoSSE held a series of targeted matchmaking meetings with sovereign wealth funds, investment groups, commercial banks, development finance institutions, chambers of commerce, stock exchanges and infrastructure developers. The engagements focused on mobilising investment into infrastructure, energy, industrialisation, pharmaceuticals, tourism, logistics, digital transformation and regional value chains, while also strengthening partnerships that support regional integration.
Strategic Partnership with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
A major outcome of AIM Congress 2026 was the signing of a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation on Tabadul Hub Capital Markets Interconnectivity between the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges (CoSSE) on 9 September 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation to strengthen cross-border capital market connectivity and facilitate closer collaboration between SADC and UAE capital markets.
Under the agreement, CoSSE will serve as the coordinating platform for SADC stock exchanges interested in exploring connectivity with the ADX-led Tabadul Hub, creating new pathways for cross-border investment and market access between Southern Africa and the Middle East.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Elias M. Magosi described the agreement as:
"More than the signing of an agreement. It marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Southern Africa and the Middle East, opening a new chapter in regional capital market cooperation, investment facilitation and economic integration."
ADX Group Chief Executive Officer H.E. Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed ADX's commitment to expanding international market connectivity through the Tabadul Hub, creating stronger linkages between regional capital markets and supporting broader investor access across participating jurisdictions.
This partnership is expected to strengthen investment corridors between the UAE and Southern Africa while expanding opportunities for investors in both regions. The agreement complements the CoSSE Interconnectivity Project and reinforces SADC's vision of an integrated regional investment market that connects opportunities across Southern Africa with global sources of capital.
Strengthening SADC's Investment Partnerships
SADC's participation at AIM Congress 2026 demonstrated the growing role of regional capital markets in mobilising investment for development and provided a platform to strengthen engagement with global investors, financial institutions and development partners.
The participation also supported SADC's broader objective of positioning Southern Africa as" One Region. One Market. One Investment Destination," while advancing practical initiatives that connect investment opportunities with domestic, regional and international sources of capital.
As SADC continues implementing Vision 2050 and RISDP 2020-2030, partnerships forged through AIM Congress are expected to increase investment flows, deepen regional integration, and strengthen cooperation between Southern Africa and global financial centres.
About SADC
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional economic community comprising sixteen Member States working together to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth, regional integration, peace, security and shared prosperity in Southern Africa. Through SADC Vision 2050 and RISDP 2020-2030, the organisation continues to advance programmes and initiatives that support industrialisation, infrastructure development, investment promotion and regional economic transformation
