SADC Strengthens Regional National Structures Macroeconomic Statistics for Effective Surveillance and Economic Convergence 21–25 September 2026

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is convening the Macroeconomic Convergence Statistics Working Group (MSWG) Workshop from 21–25 September 2026, bringing together representatives of Member States, technical experts and the SADC Secretariat to strengthen the production, harmonisation and use of macroeconomic statistics in support of regional economic integration and macroeconomic surveillance.

Reliable, timely and comparable statistics are fundamental to assessing macroeconomic developments and progress towards regional convergence. Within the SADC framework, robust statistics support the monitoring of key indicators, including inflation, fiscal performance, current account balances and public debt, while providing an essential evidence base for policy dialogue, surveillance and peer review.

The MSWG brings together specialised expertise in National Accounts, Consumer Price Statistics, Government Finance Statistics, Balance of Payments, and Monetary and Financial Statistics. The 2026 workshop builds on technical and capacity-building work undertaken since 2025, with emphasis on translating identified statistical gaps into concrete remedial actions, implementation measures and measurable regional deliverables.

A key priority is the harmonisation of data collection, compilation and reporting through common input and output templates. Improved mapping between national data systems and regional reporting requirements will strengthen consistency, comparability, data management and dissemination, thereby enhancing the quality of information available for macroeconomic surveillance.

The workshop will also address emerging challenges arising from digitalisation, fintech, technological advancement, new data sources, geopolitical developments and climate-related risks. These developments reinforce the need for statistical systems that are adaptable while maintaining methodological integrity, quality, consistency and comparability. Participants will therefore consider modernisation and transition requirements associated with evolving international statistical standards, alongside capacity-building and technical assistance needs.

Key expected outputs include a Regional Implementation Matrix of Recommendations; an assessment of statistical gaps and remedial plans; harmonised data templates; strengthened data management and dissemination arrangements; an Emerging Issues and Risks Matrix; capacity-building and modernisation roadmaps; and the MSWG Strategic Priorities and Work Programme for 2027–2029.

The workshop contributes to the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Finance and Investment and its macroeconomic convergence framework. By strengthening the statistical foundations for surveillance and peer review, the MSWG supports evidence-based regional policy coordination and the broader SADC agenda of macroeconomic stability, convergence and regional integration.