The 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) took place on August 17 in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, with leaders highlighting on August 18 industrialisation and modernised agriculture as key drivers of regional integration.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, assuming the bloc’s rotating chairmanship, urged member states to accelerate industrial capacity, boost intra-regional trade, and adopt a united front in global economic negotiations.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi emphasised the central role of agriculture, which contributes 33 percent to the region’s GDP and sustains over 60 percent of the population. He cautioned, however, that despite this potential, nearly 60 million people remain food insecure, underscoring the urgency of transforming agriculture to ensure food security and stimulate growth. He further noted opportunities in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, to complement industrial expansion.
Under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” the summit aims to strengthen regional value chains, modernise agriculture, and drive inclusive energy transition. Leaders reiterated their commitment to building resilience through enhanced industrialisation and agricultural reforms, positioning the bloc as a more cohesive and competitive economic community.