Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) analyzed, in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, the regional bloc’s budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and policies to promote inclusive economic development.
The meeting precedes the 45th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for the 17th of the current month, in which the final documents and recommendations will be presented for consideration and adoption.
This year’s SADC Summit is being held under the theme “Advancing Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.”
Over three days, the ministers assessed, among other things, the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials, the Finance Committee, the implementation status of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, and the Regional Development Fund (RDF).
The RDF is a key tool for securing essential financial resources to pursue the regional industrialization program, including infrastructure to fulfil the SADC regional integration agenda.
The RISDP 2020-2030, now in its 6th year of implementation, defines policies and strategies to achieve SADC’s long-term objectives, including regional integration.
It includes priority areas such as peace, security, good governance, industrial development, market integration, infrastructure development, social capital, and cross-cutting issues, including gender, youth, environment and climate change, and disaster risk management.
The FDR is a key tool for securing essential financial resources to pursue the regional industrialization program, including infrastructure to fulfil the SADC regional integration agenda.
The RISDP 2020-2030, now in its sixth year of implementation, defines policies and strategies to achieve SADC’s long-term objectives, including regional integration.
It includes priority areas such as peace, security, good governance, industrial development, market integration, infrastructure development, social capital, and cross-cutting issues, including gender, youth, environment and climate change, and disaster risk management.
Angolan Contribution
Angola’s annual statutory contribution to the operating budget and strategic plan is estimated at a total of USD 3,868,373.00, in addition to the contribution to the SADC anti-corruption plan.
The organization expects revenues of USD 206.6 million for the period 2025-2026, while expenditures are budgeted at USD 204.2 million.
It is important to note that there were no changes to the budget for annual statutory contributions from member states for the period in question, compared to 2024 and 2025, remaining at USD 47.40 million.
Maintaining this budget is a prudent measure to avoid imposing additional financial burdens.
Madagascar Chairs SADC Council of Ministers
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar, Rasata Rafaravavitafika, assumed the presidency of the SADC Council of Ministers during the meeting, replacing her Zimbabwean counterpart, Amon Murwira.
In her acceptance speech, Rasata Rafaravavitafika expressed gratitude to all SADC member states for the trust they have placed in Madagascar, assuring the country’s readiness to lead the Council during her term.
She declared that SADC is an essential pillar of regional cooperation and solidarity, on which we can rely to jointly face our challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Madagascar will simultaneously hold the rotating SADC presidency for the next 12 months, starting August 17th.
By assuming this position, the Republic of Madagascar intends to play an active role in regional efforts to strengthen integration, stimulate development, and consolidate solidarity among member states.
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