The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), convened the Think Tank and National Planning Entities (NPEs) Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, from 10-12 September 2025.
The three-day meeting provided a strategic platform to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, deepen policy-research collaboration, and accelerate progress toward regional integration and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
The Meeting follows the establishment of the Southern African Network of Think Tanks in July 2024, which unites leading research institutions and national planning bodies to drive solutions to regional priorities.
Key focus areas included:
Examining the effectiveness of the research-to-policy value chain.
Officially launching the Southern African Network of Think Tanks.
Unveiling the SADC National Planning Entities (NPEs) Community of Practice Online Portal.
Strengthening continental linkages through the African Union Continental Think Tank Platform.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Prudence Kaoma, Permanent Secretary for Planning and Administration, Ministry of Finance and National Planning of the Republic of Zambia, stressed that Research plays a critical role in informing decision-making across the region. “This Meeting is a platform for convergence between research and policy communities to advance evidence-based solutions for regional priorities”.
From the SADC Secretariat, Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, highlighted the deliberate efforts to strengthen national planning and regional coherence, “the establishment of the SADC National Planning Entities Platform is a deliberate effort to enhance knowledge exchange and build capacity among planning ministries and commissions. Since its revival in 2022, it has helped align global, continental, and regional frameworks with National Development Plans.”
She further noted the role of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) in facilitating the Southern African Network of Think Tanks to promote research-driven policymaking and closer collaboration with the SADC Secretariat.
Participants marked two major milestones with the formal launch of the Southern African Network of Think Tanks and the NPEs Community of Practice Online Portal. Both initiatives are designed to enhance peer-to-peer collaboration, capacity development, and knowledge sharing across the region.
Parallel sessions also provided targeted discussions on:
Think Tank Network: Governance, work programmes, and resource mobilisation.
NPE Platform: Multi-year programme development and platform strengthening.
The Meeting drew representatives from national planning entities, think tanks, and regional partners. Participants benefited from:
Think Tanks: Opportunities for research collaboration, governance participation, and integration into continental platforms.
NPEs: Access to regional research capabilities, multi-year programme support, and training on the Community of Practice portal.
All Participants: Strategic partnerships, continental networking, and clear action plans for sustainable collaboration.
The successful launch of the Southern African Network of Think Tanks and the NPEs Community of Practice Online Portal represents a significant step forward for regional cooperation. By linking research with planning, and planning with action, the Meeting has set the stage for stronger collaboration across Southern Africa and beyond.
As the region works toward the goals of the RISDP 2020-2030, the message is clear: knowledge, partnership, and shared vision are the cornerstones of deeper integration and sustainable development for all SADC Member States.
