By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – With a strong voice for progress and cooperation, the Kingdom of Eswatini played an active role in shaping Southern Africa’s development agenda at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Leading the nation’s delegation, Hon. Dr. Thambo Gina, Minister for Economic Planning and Development, was joined by Principal Secretary Thabsile Mlangeni, SADC Unit Director Thobile Dlamini, and other senior government officials. Together, they engaged in high-level discussions centered on regional integration, economic self-reliance, and sustainable growth.
Opening the session, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi stressed the importance of solidarity among Member States in an era of global economic uncertainty. Ministers agreed that boosting intra-SADC trade, accelerating industrialization, and enhancing value addition are critical steps toward reducing reliance on raw commodity exports and building long-term resilience.
Key decisions endorsed included:
- Adoption of the SADC SMEs Competitiveness Strategy.
- Approval of the SADC Investment Climate Scorecard.
- Advancements in regional energy interconnector projects linking Angola, Malawi, and Tanzania.
- Operationalization of the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Madagascar.
In the health sector, a Draft Charter for SADC Pooled Procurement Services was proposed to improve access to affordable medicines and essential medical supplies.
On financing, ministers noted the mobilization of over US$206 million from International Cooperating Partners. However, an estimated US$624.5 billion remains necessary to fully implement the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) priority projects.
The meeting also honored the contributions of past regional leaders and welcomed Hon. Dr. Rafaravavitafika Rasata of Madagascar as the new Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, succeeding Hon. Professor Amon Murwira of Zimbabwe.
These outcomes set the stage for the upcoming 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, where Member States will continue advancing a shared vision of a peaceful, industrialized, and self-reliant Southern Africa.
Eswatini’s active participation reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to regional cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development—paving the way for collective prosperity in the SADC community.
(Courtesy Pic/SADC)
