SADC Council Urges Swift Implementation of Regional Development Fund
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers has called for the rapid implementation of the Regional Development Fund (RDF), a key initiative designed to provide concessional funding for infrastructure, industrialization, and social development projects across the region. The call was made during the Council’s meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, held from March 12th to 14th, 2025.
Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, emphasized the need for the SADC region to strive for economic independence. He stressed that the RDF would help resource key programs aimed at achieving SADC’s Vision 2050 of becoming a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, and industrialized middle-to-high-income region.
The RDF’s implementation was fast-tracked by the Ministers of Finance in response to the global geopolitical challenges affecting financing for regional and national projects.
SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr. Elias Magosi, noted that while the region had made significant progress in regional integration and development, challenges such as financial resource constraints and slow ratification of legal instruments continue to hinder full achievement of SADC’s goals.
Key outcomes of the meeting included approval of the SADC Annual Corporate Plan and budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, which aligns with the priorities outlined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020-2030). This plan addresses vital areas such as peace, security, industrial development, and infrastructure, all aimed at promoting regional integration.
The Council also reiterated its commitment to resolving security issues in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and applauded member states for their ongoing support to the DRC. Further, the Council emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness, noting that nine potential hazards, including El Niño-induced droughts, are expected to affect the region during the 2024/25 season.
On the issue of regional food and nutrition security, the Council urged member states to implement strategies to address the impacts of natural disasters, such as floods and drought, on agriculture and livestock.
The Council also endorsed the establishment of the SADC Pooled Procurement Services (SPPS), a new SADC subsidiary organization aimed at improving healthcare access by leveraging economies of scale to reduce costs and improve supply chain reliability.
The SADC Council of Ministers, composed of Ministers from each member state, oversees the functioning and development of the SADC organization, ensuring that policies are properly implemented for the benefit of the region.
