The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has successfully concluded a week-long series of High-Level Engagement Meetings in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at supporting the country’s accession to the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA).
The engagements, held from 27 April 2026, brought together Ministers, Senior Officials, Technical Experts, policymakers, and representatives from the public and private sectors. The initiative was supported by the German Government through the German-SADC Cooperation, reaffirming continued partnership in advancing regional integration.
The primary objective of the meetings was to support the DRC in its accession process to the SADC FTA through alignment with key regional legal and policy frameworks, notably:
- the SADC Protocol on Trade,
- the SADC Protocol on Trade in Services, and
- the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communication and Meteorology.
Throughout the engagements, participants reviewed the status of regional economic integration within SADC and explored the implications, opportunities, and obligations associated with full participation in the FTA. Discussions focused on enhancing trade facilitation, improving market access, and strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks to support the DRC’s integration into the regional economy.
Speaking during the official opening, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angèle Makombo N’Tumba, emphasised SADC’s commitment to supporting the DRC throughout its accession journey, underscoring the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement and coordinated implementation.
The Government of the DRC reiterated its strong commitment to regional integration, with Hon. Floribert Anzuluni Isiloketshi, Minister of Regional Integration of the DRC, highlighting the country’s determination to align national policies and legislative frameworks with SADC protocols to unlock economic opportunities and drive sustainable development.
Over the course of the engagements, participants engaged in detailed technical sessions covering:
- Trade liberalisation under the SADC FTA,
- Trade in services and regulatory frameworks,
- Transport, communication and meteorology systems as enablers of trade, and
- Institutional and legal requirements for accession.
A key outcome of the engagements was the development and validation of a draft roadmap to guide the DRC’s accession process. The roadmap outlines priority actions, timelines, and responsibilities to support compliance with SADC protocols and facilitate a smooth transition into the FTA.
Hands-on sessions further supported DRC officials in developing an Action Matrix, providing a practical tool for implementation and monitoring progress.
The final phase of the engagements included a High-Level Public Sector Dialogue, which brought together government officials and private sector stakeholders to discuss the broader economic impact of accession and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Participants retaliated the importance of private sector participation in driving trade and investment, as well as the need for continued capacity-building and institutional strengthening.
The successful conclusion of the High-Level Engagements marks a significant milestone in the DRC’s journey towards full participation in the SADC Free Trade Area. The outcomes of the meetings are expected to accelerate the country’s integration into the regional market, contributing to increased trade, economic growth, and regional
