SADC and Germany Strengthen Ties Ahead of Development Cooperation Negotiations
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) met on April 3, 2025, to lay the groundwork for upcoming bilateral negotiations on development cooperation scheduled for later this year.
The meeting, co-chaired by Ms. Angèle Makombo N’tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at SADC, and Ms. Luisa Bergfeld, SADC Desk Officer at BMZ, focused on reviewing progress under existing agreements and identifying priority areas for future support.
In her opening remarks, Ms. N’tumba thanked Germany for its consistent support in promoting regional integration, highlighting the significance of bilateral meetings in advancing economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Ms. Bergfeld reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to working closely with SADC, with a focus on regional integration, sustainable development, and energy-related projects in the coming years.
The discussions covered key SADC-German programmes, including:
✅ Regional Economic Integration – Promoting industrialization, trade, and infrastructure development.
✅ Transboundary Water Management – Encouraging sustainable use of shared water resources.
✅ Climate Resilience & Natural Resource Management – Addressing climate change impacts.
✅ Disaster Risk Management – Strengthening preparedness and response strategies.
✅ SADC National-Regional Linkages – Aligning national policies with regional development goals.
The SADC-Germany partnership continues to play a crucial role in fostering economic efficiency, political stability, and environmental sustainability, benefiting millions across the SADC region.
