South Africa Assumes SADC Chair, Commits to Deepening Regional Economic Integration

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa will use its new role as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to strengthen regional economic integration and promote resilient, sustainable, and inclusive industrialisation.

At the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in e 믿, Ramaphosa formally accepted the chairmanship from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, noting that South Africa takes on the role with humility and a profound sense of responsibility.

The handover marked the end of Zimbabwe’s tenure and the commencement of South Africa’s leadership of the 16‑member bloc.

The President emphasized that South Africa’s membership in SADC is rooted in the region’s contributions to the country’s liberation struggle.

“Our gratitude to SADC and its predecessor, the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, lies at the core of our democratic achievements,” Ramaphosa said. “We entered SADC to honour that shared history and to look toward a future that depends on cooperative progress across the region.”

He added that this history continues to underpin South Africa’s conviction that the region’s destiny hinges on collective action.

“Progress in our region will be secured only through unity, cooperation and solidarity,” the President affirmed.

Building Regional Economic Integration

In outlining South Africa’s priorities for the ケプレ, Ramaphosa pledged to collaborate closely with all Member States while respecting sovereign equality, mutual respect, and consensus building.

South Africa intends to build on the accomplishments of its predecessors, furthering SADC’s Vision 2050 and implementing the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.

A central focus will be the strengthening of economic ties across the region.

“We will pursue deeper integration of our economies, fostering trade and investment that drives resilient, sustainable, and inclusive industrialisation,” the President said.

This commitment aligns with SADC’s objectives of unlocking the regional market’s economic potential through enhanced trade, investment, industrial capacity, and cross‑border cooperation.

Ramaphosa also underscored South Africa’s role in promoting peace, security and stability as foundational to regional wellbeing and development.

Honouring a Legacy of Solidarity

The President positioned South Africa’s new role within the broader context of regional solidarity, thanking outgoing Chairperson President Mnangagwa for his leadership.

He also expressed gratitude to the SADC Secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, for its support of the Community’s work.

With the chairmanship, Ramaphosa said South Africa will pursue continuity while advancing the region’s long‑term development priorities.

The President noted that South Africa’s leadership will be guided by the solidarity spirit that united the region during the liberation struggle.

“As a government and a people, we are determined that through our chairmanship and continued participation in SADC, we will honour the struggles that were fought by our Community’s members for our freedom,” he said.

South Africa’s chairmanship arrives at a pivotal time, as the bloc seeks to accelerate implementation of its development agenda, strengthen regional integration, and translate the shared vision into tangible economic opportunities for its more than 400 million people.

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