Southern African leaders are making a decisive call for accelerated investment in agriculture and trade as the region faces mounting climate challenges, rising food prices, and increasing pressure to feed a rapidly growing population.
This week, Zimbabwe is hosting the SADC Regional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, a three-day event convening agriculture ministers, representatives from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and Member States, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and a diverse group of investors. The forum is spotlighting a portfolio of agricultural projects valued at US$1.8 billion, with a strong emphasis on climate-smart irrigation, mechanization, agro-processing, and regional trade integration.
Southern Africa has been severely impacted by extreme droughts, destructive cyclones, and erratic rainfall patterns, leaving millions vulnerable to food insecurity. Opening the forum, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious J. Masuka, stressed the urgency of the moment and the importance of regional collaboration.
“Zimbabwe is honoured to host this gathering of decision-makers, investors, and practitioners committed to building a more resilient and prosperous future for our region’s agrifood systems,” Dr. Masuka said.
FAO officials emphasized the forum’s goal of mobilizing capital toward solutions that can withstand climate pressures while creating meaningful opportunities for farmers and youth. Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, told delegates that with the right investments, partnerships, and policies, the region can ensure productive farmers, resilient food systems, and inclusive growth.
Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO’s Regional Representative for Africa, added that the investment priorities were shaped through extensive consultations across SADC Member States. These priorities align directly with the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy and FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031, ensuring coherence and regional ownership.
The forum also includes matchmaking sessions designed to connect investors directly with governments and showcase national projects, including those from Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Domingos Gove, Director of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the SADC Secretariat, highlighted the synergy between the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and SADC’s regional integration goals.
“The initiative’s data-driven, country-owned, and partnership-based model aligns perfectly with our Regional Agricultural Policy and broader integration strategy,” Gove said.
FAO’s Chief Economist, Maximo Torero, underscored the global significance of the initiative. He explained that strategic investments in climate-smart irrigation, mechanization, agro-industrialization, and regional trade integration are essential levers to reduce poverty and hunger. These interventions, he noted, are evidence-based, inclusive, and resilient.
Delivering a message on behalf of SADC Member States, Mr. François Sergio Hajarison, Madagascar’s Agriculture Minister and current SADC Chair, pledged strong political commitment to advancing the agenda. He affirmed that strategic investments in agriculture and trade are vital to strengthening resilience, creating jobs, and ensuring inclusive development across the region.
The outcomes of the Harare forum will feed into the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2025 in Rome, where Southern Africa will present its investment cases to a global audience.
For millions across the region, the stakes are high. As climate extremes intensify and global food systems face growing strain, Southern African leaders are determined not only to adapt, but to lead.
