Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has unveiled four strategic priorities to drive SADC’s development agenda for the coming year.
Speaking at the 45th Ordinary SADC Summit attended by His Majesty the King here yesterday, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi outlined priority programmes aimed at fostering a resilient and prosperous region, a vision that resonates strongly with Eswatini’s aspirations for transformation and sustainable development.
Held under the theme; “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC”, Magosi unpacked the agenda as follows
1. Regional Industrialisation: SADC aims to create economic opportunities and jobs through industrialisation, with a focus on empowering women and youth. Investments in modern technologies and skills development in agriculture and other sectors will ensure inclusive growth. For Eswatini, this aligns with efforts to diversify its economy beyond sugar exports and bolster small and medium enterprises.
2. Agricultural Transformation: With agriculture contributing 30 per cent to SADC’s GDP and supporting 62 per cent of the region’s population, tackling food insecurity is critical. In 2024, 60 million people—17 per cent of SADC’s population—faced food shortages. Investments in climate-smart agriculture and agro-processing will enhance food security and create jobs, a priority Eswatini supports through its agricultural modernisation initiatives.
3. Energy Security: Despite abundant renewable energy resources, electricity access across SADC averaged 56 per cent in 2024, far below the 2030 target of 85 per cent. Magosi said The $50 billion commitment from the 2025 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, offers hope for expanding access to affordable, sustainable energy. Eswatini, with its ongoing renewable energy projects, stands to benefit from regional cooperation in this area.
4. Intra-Regional Trade: Intra-SADC trade remains low at 20 per cent, compared to 60 per cent in other regions. Removing trade barriers and establishing one-stop border posts will facilitate the movement of goods, services, and people. Eswatini, a signatory to the SADC Regional Development Fund agreement, is poised to leverage these efforts to boost trade with neighbouring countries.
Magosi explained that a cornerstone of these priorities is the SADC Regional Development Fund, which will support security and infrastructure investments. The Fund will be implemented in two phases: an initial 4–5-year phase to mobilise resources and a subsequent expansion phase to scale up operations. Eswatini is among the nine member states that have signed the agreement, joining Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Magosi urged member states, including South Africa, which is nearing ratification, to fully commit to the Fund’s operationalisation.
With regards to security challenges, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique were highlighted. The integration of the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes into a unified framework, endorsed on August 15, 2025, was reported as a significant step toward sustainable peace. Magosi paid tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the SADC Mission in the DRC, acknowledging their sacrifice for regional stability.
The Executive Secretary also observed a moment of reflection for departed regional leaders, including His Royal Highness Prince Mabandla, former Prime Minister of Eswatini, whose contributions to regional stability remain a guiding light. Magosi also honoured Dr. Hage Geingob, former President of Namibia, and David Mabuza, former Deputy President of South Africa, noting their enduring legacies.
Quoting SADC founder Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Magosi emphasised, “Unity is our strength, and together, we can achieve great things.” He called for collective action to overcome global challenges, from climate disasters to unemployment, and to build a self-reliant, industrialised SADC by 2050.
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