SADC Launches Research Network to Strengthen Policy and Planning

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), working in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), has launched the Southern African Network of Think Tanks as part of efforts to accelerate regional integration and sustainable development.

The announcement was made during the Think Tank and National Planning Entities (NPEs) Meeting, held in Lusaka from 10–12 September 2025. The three-day gathering brought together leading research institutions, national planning bodies and regional partners to deepen evidence-based policymaking, strengthen research-policy collaboration and align development priorities across Southern Africa.

The launch builds on the establishment of the Southern African Network of Think Tanks in July 2024, which unites research institutions and planning agencies to provide practical solutions to regional challenges.

Key outcomes included:

• The official launch of the Southern African Network of Think Tanks.
• The unveiling of the SADC National Planning Entities Community of Practice Online Portal.
• Targeted discussions on governance, work programmes and resource mobilisation.
• Stronger linkages with the African Union Continental Think Tank Platform.

In her opening remarks, Ms Prudence Kaoma, Permanent Secretary for Planning and Administration at Zambia’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning, stressed the importance of research in shaping effective policy. “This Meeting is a platform for convergence between research and policy communities to advance evidence-based solutions for regional priorities,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, Ms Angele Makombo N’Tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, underlined the organisation’s commitment to strengthening coherence between national and regional frameworks. 

“The establishment of the SADC National Planning Entities Platform is a deliberate effort to enhance knowledge exchange and build capacity among planning ministries and commissions. Since its revival in 2022, it has helped align global, continental and regional frameworks with National Development Plans,” she noted.

She further recognised the role of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) in advancing research-driven policymaking and closer collaboration with the SADC Secretariat.

The meeting also marked the formal launch of the NPEs Community of Practice Online Portal, designed to enable peer-to-peer collaboration, capacity development and knowledge sharing among national planning entities.

Benefits highlighted for participants included:

• For Think Tanks: Opportunities for joint research, governance participation and integration into continental platforms.
• For NPEs: Access to regional research capabilities, multi-year programme support and hands-on training in the Community of Practice portal.
• For all stakeholders: Strengthened partnerships, wider continental networking and practical action plans for collaboration.

The Lusaka meeting signalled a significant step towards linking research with planning, and planning with action. By promoting strategic partnerships and shared knowledge, the initiative aims to support the goals of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.

As Southern Africa looks to the future, the message from Lusaka was clear: knowledge, collaboration and a shared vision remain the cornerstones of deeper integration and sustainable development for all SADC Member States.