07 May 2026, Gaborone, Botswana: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi, will lead a SADC delegation to the upcoming “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” Summit, scheduled to take place on 11-12 May 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This high-level Summit, convened by two Presidents; H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic, will bring together Heads of State and Government, alongside leaders from international organisations, the private sector, civil society, and development finance institutions.
SADC’s participation in this Summit reflects the Community’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing regional priorities within a global framework. The Summit provides a unique platform for SADC to engage in dialogue and collaboration on key development areas that are central to the region’s socio-economic transformation.
Notably, the Summit will focus on five (5) critical thematic areas, namely:
1.Reform of international financial architecture
2.Energy transition and access to electricity
3.Green industrialisation
4.Blue economy development
5.Artificial intelligence and digital transformation
These five pillars resonate strongly with SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and underscore the interconnected pathways required to achieve sustainable growth.
By participating in the Summit, SADC aims to:
•Advocate for equitable representation of African regions in global financial systems
•Promote investment in sustainable infrastructure and energy solutions
•Strengthen regional value chains through green industrialisation
•Unlock opportunities within the blue economy, particularly for coastal Member States
.Harness emerging technologies to drive innovation, inclusivity, and competitiveness
The Summit’s emphasis on partnership-driven solutions aligns with SADC’s vision of fostering deeper cooperation between Africa and global partners, particularly in mobilising private sector investment and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
The participation of SADC will also contribute to amplifying Southern Africa’s voice in shaping global development agendas. Through engagement in high-level roundtables and the Business Forum, the SADC delegation will share best practices, and forge strategic alliances that support inclusive and sustainable development.
SADC recognises the Africa-France Summit as a critical opportunity to strengthen multilateral cooperation and accelerate progress toward shared development goals. Participation in this Summit reaffirms SADC’s commitment to innovation, partnership, and collective action in addressing regional and global challenges.
Media enquiries, • Ms. Barbara Lopi, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, email, blopi@sadc.int or Anethe Mtambanengwe email, amtambanengwe@sadc.int with a copy to prinfo@sadc.int
