SADC Secretariat

Official X account of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat. 16 Member States working towards Regional Integration.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄

SADC Secretariat wishes to inform the public that the name “Southern African Development Community”, the acronym “SADC”, and the SADC logo are registered and legally protected trademarks of the Southern African Development Community.

Any unauthorised use of these trademarks constitutes an infringement of SADC’s intellectual property rights and may result in appropriate legal action.

For clarification or authorisation requests, please contact the Communication and Public Relations Unit at the SADC Secretariat on [email protected]

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 #𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗲��𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The future prosperity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region lies in the hands of young people. The SADC Council of Ministers, during its meeting in August 2020, directed the SADC Secretariat to operationalise the initiative to recognise and honour the Founders of SADC. The initiative, as approved by the SADC Council, is aimed at providing due recognition to the Founders of SADC for their contribution to the establishment of SADC and their subsequent pursuance of a regional integration agenda.

The SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition is open to all active tertiary institution-going students in the SADC Member States. This competition aims to raise awareness among the students to research and articulate issues to support the process of SADC regional cooperation, integration and socio-economic development.

The topic for the 2027 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition is; “Which theory on regionalism best suits the era, fraternity and works of the SADC Founders?”

More information about this competition can be accessed from the SADC Website in the 3 SADC working languages at; https://t.co/zkw6iu3aX9

@EliasMagosi @sardcnet @DIRCO_ZA @BWGovernment

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘

𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗞𝗔, 𝗭𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗔 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗖𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗮, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖, 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲

Today, the 25th of October 2026, the Southern African Development Community joins the Government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe to commemorate the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, under the theme Leveraging Regional Integration and Global Partnerships for Economic Transformation Beyond Illegal Sanctions.

Today, our Regional Economic Community sends one message to the world: we seek the complete and unconditional lifting of sanctions on our sister nation, the Republic of Zimbabwe.

This year’s commemoration is especially important as we are increasingly aware of the global geopolitical and economic challenges of recent years and their significant effects on our national and regional economies. The sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe therefore create an additional burden for its people amid an already challenging continental and international environment

We therefore appreciate the theme guiding this year’s commemoration of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, which underscores the need to transform the global approach to the current sanctions against Zimbabwe and fully liberate the country and its people, enabling them to achieve their rightful socio-economic fulfilment.

Full statement by the SADC Chairperson on the 2026 SADC Anti-Sanction Day can be found on this link: https://t.co/6FcNyHm8Ck

[Presidential Communications Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 @DeptCommsZW]

H.E. President @edmnangagwa addresses the nation on the occasion of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day Commemorations, 25 October 2026.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 (𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗜)

The Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho have demonstrated sufficient capacity to implement the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Anti-Corruption Effort Index (SACEI) following the national readiness assessments conducted by the SADC Secretariat.

The SADC Secretariat undertook the readiness assessments on two Member States in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in the Republic of South Africa from 19-20 October 2026; and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (DCEO) in the Kingdom of Lesotho from 22-23 October 2026.

Both Member States have developed roadmaps that outline critical actions that include stakeholder engagement and validation of results. The validated reports are expected to be submitted to the SADC Anti Corruption Committee and Ministerial Committee of the organ in 2027.

The SACEI is a regional anti–corruption effort index developed to support SADC Member States in evaluating their anti-corruption efforts through a structured assessment tool which is evidence-based.

Read more on this article from this link: https://t.co/v5jmAoh5wo

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟲𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮

On this Day, 24 October 2026, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) extends its warmest congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia as they commemorate 62nd Independence Anniversary under the theme, “𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲”.

As Zambia marks this important milestone, SADC celebrates the nation's achievements and recognises its invaluable contribution to the regional integration and development agenda as a founding member of the Community.

May the spirit of this occasion continue to inspire hope and national pride, guided by the Zambia's enduring motto: “𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮, 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.” We wish Zambia continued peace, prosperity and unity in the years ahead.

#Zambia62 #OurFuture #Zambia #SADC

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was held virtually on 21 October 2026 under the Chairpersonship of His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.

Among the key decisions taken, Summit elected the Right Honourable Mr. Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, as the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. His election completes the Organ Troika, joining His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini as the Current Organ Chairperson and His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, Outgoing Chairperson.

Summit approved the appointment of Ms. Treasure Thembisile Maphanga, a continental trade, industrial policy, digital economy and institutional development executive from the Kingdom of Eswatini, as the new SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.
Read the full Press Release with the key outcomes of the

Extraordinary Summit through this link: https://t.co/hrH1nvG71Y

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁, 𝟮𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will today, 21October 2026 convene a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to consider issues aimed at strengthening SADC institutions and advancing regional integration agenda.

His Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa will chair the Extraordinary Summit in his capacity as the Chairperson of SADC.

Deliberations at this Summit, which is the highest policy-making institution of SADC, will build on discussions and decisions arising from the 46th SADC Summit which was held in Durban, South Africa, in August 2026.

The Extraordinary Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers to be chaired by Honourable Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.

The decisions and outcomes of the Extraordinary Summit will be disseminated through SADC’s official communication platforms at the end of the Summit.

@PresidencyZA

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗻̃𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) today opened the 2026 Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme, “From Forecast to Consequence: Anticipating the Cascading Impacts of El Niño 2026/27 in Southern Africa.” The four-day workshop is convened by the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the European Union, through the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), and in partnership with the Regional Anticipatory Action Working Group (RAAWG). Participating partners include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Start Network, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Vision.

The workshop focuses on strengthening preparedness, advancing anticipatory action and enhancing coordination in response to the potential impacts of El Niño during the 2026/2027 rainfall season. The discussions are aimed at ensuring that governments and humanitarian actors are better positioned to anticipate emerging risks, mobilise resources and implement timely interventions to protect vulnerable communities and safeguard livelihoods.The opening session featured remarks from representatives of RAAWG, DG ECHO and the SADC Secretariat.

The workshop was officially opened by the Director of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre, Ms Pumeza Tyali, on behalf of the Government of South Africa. The deliberations are guided by a central question: What are the anticipated risks during the 2026/2027 season, and are existing systems sufficiently prepared to act before these risks translate into humanitarian consequences?

For the full story visit the SADC website:

https://t.co/FnwneFW5o2

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

The SADC Secretariat welcomed the European Commission Head of Unit for Transport, Mr Sergio Oliete, on 19 October 2026 at its Headquarters in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, for discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in transport infrastructure development, trade facilitation and regional integration.

Mr Oliete was received by the SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms Angele Makombo N’Tumba, accompanied by the Director of Infrastructure, Ms Rauna Mukumangeni, and senior officials of the Secretariat.
Discussions focused on European Union (EU) support to SADC, particularly the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme Phase 2 (TTTFP2), which seeks to harmonise trade and transport policies, regulations, standards and systems across Eastern and Southern Africa, while promoting the decarbonisation of transport.
Supported by EUR 12 million in EU funding, the programme is expected to run from 2027 to 2029, contributing to safer, faster, more affordable and environmentally sustainable transport systems, increased intra-African trade and mobility, and stronger Africa–EU trade relations.

Mr Oliete commended the SADC Secretariat for the achievements recorded under the first phase of the programme, noting that these successes informed the EU's continued support for the second phase. He emphasised the importance of applying lessons learnt to ensure effective implementation and tangible benefits for SADC Member States.

Ms Makombo N’Tumba expressed appreciation for the EU's continued partnership and support towards regional integration. She reiterated the Secretariat's commitment to the successful implementation of the programme, underscoring the critical role of efficient and sustainable transport systems in driving economic growth, facilitating trade and advancing regional integration.

The visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between SADC and the European Union in advancing sustainable transport connectivity and regional economic development.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗜 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡’𝗦 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

#SADC in collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Gender and with support by AUDA-NEPAD, convenes a 2-day National Consultative Workshop on the SADC/AUDA-NEPAD Project on “Enhancing Women Entrepreneurship Development (EWED) in #SADC” in Lilongwe, Malawi, taking place from 19 to 20 October 2026.

The workshop brings together representatives from government ministries, the private sector, financial institutions, networks of women entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening women and youth entrepreneurship development in Malawi.

The workshop was officially opened by Ms Alice Mkandawire, Director of Gender Affairs in Malawi’s Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare. She reiterated Malawi’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment and highlighted the EWED Project’s role in addressing barriers to finance, markets and business development, in line with Malawi 2063’s vision of inclusive wealth creation.

Speaking on behalf of the #SADC Secretariat, Ms Kelly Dambuza-Chifani from the #SADC Gender Unit, underscored the importance of women’s entrepreneurship as a driver of regional economic transformation, job creation, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic growth. She noted that despite progress in strengthening policy frameworks, women across the #SADC region continue to face significant barriers to accessing financial services and entrepreneurship development opportunities. She highlighted that the EWED Project seeks to address these challenges by advancing women's economic empowerment and contributing to the #SADC regional integration agenda.

The workshop is expected to generate stakeholder recommendations that will inform the implementation of this Project in Malawi and contribute to the achievement of the project's core outcomes.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

#𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗘𝘅��𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗠𝗙-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗸, 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟮-𝟭𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), gave an interview towards the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12 to 18 October 2026.

The interview provided an opportunity for the Executive Secretary to reflect on SADC’s participation in the meetings, highlight key engagements with development partners, and outline the region’s priorities.
@EliasMagosi @AngeleMakombo @sardcnet @WorldBankGroup @IMFNews @DIRCO_ZA @thailand

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗚, 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔. 𝟮𝟬𝗧𝗛 -𝟮𝟯𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗥𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

The Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Dr. Judith Kateera has called for greater investment in long term resilience and strengthened disaster financing mechanisms to reduce losses and help countries recover from disasters more quickly.

Dr. Kateera said this at the inaugural International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, from 13 to 15 October 2026 under the theme: “Scaling Proactive Governance and Strategic Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction and a Resilient Africa.”

"We must approach disaster risk management not merely as an emergency expenditure, but as a productive capital investment that generates tangible economic returns," she said.

She reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to supporting Member States in enhancing preparedness, reducing vulnerabilities and building resilient communities capable of withstanding future shocks.

The Conference was officially opened by His Excellency Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique and African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management who emphasised the urgent need to mobilise resources and strengthen early warning systems, invest in resilient infrastructure and improve community preparedness.

Read more on the SADC's participation at the Conference on the SADC Website: https://t.co/MevCfvT7px

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

The inaugural International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa was held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, from 13 to 15 October 2026 under the theme: “Scaling Proactive Governance and Strategic Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction and a Resilient Africa.”

The SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs Dr. Judith Kateera has welcomed the successful convening of the conference, which brought together policymakers, development partners, experts, and stakeholders to strengthen collective action on disaster risk reduction and resilience across the African continent.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳 𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗻̃𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻

In view of the 2026/27 El Niño and Cyclone Season forecast, SADC through the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) will from 20-23 October, 2026 convene a meeting of Member States and partners in Johannesburg, South Africa, to consolidate contingency plans for preparedness and response for the El Niño phenomenon.

On the sidelines of the International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa held in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, the Director of SHOC, 𝗠𝗿. 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮, explains how the region, through SHOC, is preparing to strengthen preparedness and response measures to mitigate the potential socio-economic impacts of the expected climate phenomenon.

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

#𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗘𝗻��𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸, 𝗕𝗚𝗞, 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴

Bangkok, Thailand, 16 October 2026 – His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), met with a delegation from Poland’s state-owned development bank, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), led by Mr Paweł Chorąży, Managing Director of the European Funds Pillar.

The meeting explored potential areas of cooperation between SADC and BGK, particularly in mobilising development financing and strengthening partnerships to support regional priorities. The Executive Secretary informed BGK that the region is working on operationalizing a SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF) that seeks to consolidate efforts towards sustainable financing of regional integration.

BGK presented that its key focus for development financing is digitalisation. Key strategic components include renewable energy, e-government, e-commerce, cyber security, and public administration systems. The Bank’s financing frameworks include government support, guarantees, blended finance, and other special funding strategies. BGK works with other development financing institutions, including the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The engagement highlighted the importance of partnerships with development finance institutions in unlocking resources for strategic projects and advancing sustainable development in the SADC region. In this regard, both sides committed to explore a possible framework of cooperation that will establish and deepen partnership between the Bank and SADC.

The SADC Executive Secretary was accompanied by Dr Mike Masiye, Director for Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilisation; Mr Thokozani Mlotsa, Resource Mobilisation Officer; and Mr Hamilton Thomas, Programme Officer for Capital Market, while Mr Chorąży was accompanied by Mr Kacper Chmielewski, Director for Relations, Policy and EU Funds and Ms Katarzyna Rozesłaniec, Expert in the Department of International Instruments for Development.

@EliasMagosi
@AngeleMakombo
@sardcnet
@DIRCO_ZA
@BGK_pl

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

#𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗮𝗻�� 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲

Bangkok, Thailand, 16 October 2026 – His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of SADC, held a courtesy meeting with Dr Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), taking place in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the existing SADC–World Bank programme portfolio and explore areas for further cooperation in advancing regional integration and sustainable economic development.

The existing SADC–World Bank programme portfolio comprises five projects covering areas such as energy, climate resilience, regional statistics and groundwater management. These sectors are aligned with SADC Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030). Dr Diop reaffirmed SADC's important role in facilitating regional integration. Discussions recognised prevailing need for creating more jobs and acknowledged regional integration as key towards creating an enabling environment for enhanced industrialisation and trade. One key sector for facilitating job creation is energy, to which the Bank is implementing the Mission 300 Initiative that aims to connect 300 million people to electricity.

This initiative is supported through the implementation of the SADC Regional Energy Transmission, Trade, and Decarbonization Project (RETRADE) Programme, anchored on the recognition that energy is key to job creation and is a proven catalyst for growth and development. Firms need electricity for production, hence it is directly connected to the job creation agenda. The ongoing cooperation under the RETRADE Programme will enhance access to electricity in the region and ultimately increase electricity supply to the regional grid and overall regional supply as coordinated by the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

The Bank also presented that water is another key strategic area, as implemented under the Water Forward Initiative that also seeks to drive the jobs and prosperity agenda. The initiative targets enabling access to safe drinking water to 130 million people by 2030. It consists of components that focus on implementing reforms across water utilities and a regional dimension that seeks to increase water supply.

To fast-track regional integration, the Executive Secretary expressed that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is critical. In this regard, closer collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is critical towards enhancing trade and enabling Africa to reach its intra-trade potential. Both soft and hard aspects infrastructure development are critical towards enhancing connectivity and harmonisation of policies for facilitating seamless movement of people, goods and services.

The discussion further highlighted One Stop Border Posts are key towards enhanced trade facilitation, whilst also recognising Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as essential drivers for sustainable jobs. Both sides also expressed the need to ensure that small business grow overtime into large firms that become strong production bases. Strategic corridors are also important towards enhancing connection to production centres, markets and transport networks, facilitating the movement of goods and people, and reducing barriers to regional trade. In this regard, SADC is advancing work on the North-South Economic Corridor, including the development of an investment programme and the exploration of a Special Purpose Vehicle to coordinate investment and multilateral financing.

In view of the anticipated El Niño conditions and their potential impact on the region, the Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of strengthening preparedness, early warning systems and adaptation measures to protect vulnerable communities and sustain development gains. Both sides committed to deepen high-level engagements on the programming and implementation of regional support, aimed at concretizing cooperation in the jobs-enabling areas of energy, water, digital connectivity, transport corridors, education and health.

@EliasMagosi
@AngeleMakombo
@sardcnet
@WorldBankGroup
@IMFNews

[SADC Secretariat @SADC_News]

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗣𝗬𝗘, 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗔

The SADC Secretariat concludes its three-day Gender Equality Seal (GES) Technical Working Session today, 16 October 2026, in Mahalapye, Botswana. The session, held from 14 to 16 October 2026, forms part of the Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to strengthen gender mainstreaming and promote gender equality across its institutional policies, programmes and operations.

The technical working session brought together representatives from three Directorates, namely the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation; Infrastructure; and Industrial Development and Trade (IDT), which undertook the Gender Equality Seal self-assessment exercise.

The three Directorates were supported by the Communication and Public Relations Unit (CPRU), Human Resources and Administration (HRA), Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilization (PPRM), Finance, and Procurement, which provided inputs to the assessment process within their respective areas of responsibility.

Through the exercise, participants reviewed institutional practices, assessed progress in integrating gender equality considerations into their work, identified existing gaps and proposed actions to strengthen gender-responsive planning, implementation and reporting.

The session marks an important step in SADC’s efforts to institutionalise gender equality, strengthen accountability and create a more inclusive and gender-responsive organisation, in line with regional and international gender equality commitments.

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