Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gathered in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on August 17 and 18 for their 45th Ordinary Summit, centered on boosting the region’s mining industry and addressing the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Under the summit theme, “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” discussions focused on increasing industrial capacity, modernizing agriculture, and accelerating clean energy adoption as key drivers for regional economic growth and integration.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina formally assumed the rotating SADC chairmanship from Zimbabwe and pledged to fortify regional unity and a collective voice in global arenas.
The summit also re-appointed Elias Magosi as SADC Executive Secretary, ensuring continuity in leadership and the implementation of the bloc’s strategic plans .
Member states endorsed efforts to establish the SADC Regional Development Fund, designed to mobilize funding for critical infrastructure, industrial, and social development initiatives.
However, full ratification remains pending, with only a portion of member states having signed on .
The summit also revisited regional intervention in the DRC. In March, SADC began a phased withdrawal of its troops supporting stability in the country, marking a shift in its peacekeeping strategy.