45th SADC Summit Concludes in Madagascar, Advancing Industrialisation, Agriculture and Energy Transition

The 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government concluded today in Antananarivo, Madagascar, under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC”.

The Summit was attended by Heads of State and Government, or their representatives, from all 16 SADC Member States, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Seychelles. Ministers from Member States and the SADC Executive Secretary were also present.

During the Summit, President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar was elected Chairperson of SADC, with President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa appointed as Incoming Chairperson. President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi was appointed Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, while King Mswati III of Eswatini was designated Incoming Chairperson of the Organ.

The Summit paid tribute to several notable figures who passed away, including Namibia’s Founding President Dr. Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma, Zambia’s Sixth President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, South Africa’s former Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza, and former leaders from Eswatini, as well as honouring members of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) for their service and sacrifice.

Leaders welcomed the peaceful elections in Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Namibia, and applauded Mozambique for its ongoing inclusive national dialogue. The Summit reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, endorsing the Memorandum of Understanding between SADC and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and emphasised alignment with the United Nations-led self-determination process.

On regional security, the Summit commended the mediation efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by the African Union, SADC, and East African Community, integrating the Luanda and Nairobi Peace Processes, while highlighting the need for harmonisation with other initiatives including the Washington Accord 2025 and Doha Declaration of Principles 2025. The Summit also condemned misinformation surrounding the SAMIDRC deployment and reiterated that it was conducted in compliance with regional and international obligations.

The Summit approved key initiatives to strengthen economic resilience, including the accelerated establishment of the SADC Regional Development Fund as a Special Purpose Vehicle to mobilise long-term investment for regional programmes. Member States were urged to advance industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and just energy transition, with specific emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, post-harvest efficiency, and the blue economy. 

Attention was also drawn to controlling transboundary animal diseases, particularly Foot and Mouth Disease, and combating cholera through Presidential Task Forces, expanded water and sanitation infrastructure, and coordinated resource mobilisation.

The Summit commended Madagascar for successfully hosting the 8th Annual SADC Industrialisation Week and Exhibition (28 July – 1 August 2025) in collaboration with the SADC Secretariat, SADC Business Council, and Syndicat des Industries de Madagascar, which focused on industrialisation, agricultural transformation, and energy transition.

The SADC Electoral Calendar for the remainder of 2025, including elections in Malawi, Seychelles, and Tanzania, was noted, with Member States wishing smooth electoral processes. Leaders encouraged Member States to sign, ratify, and implement SADC legal instruments to strengthen regional integration frameworks.

Finally, the Summit re-appointed Mr. Elias Mpedi Magosi as SADC Executive Secretary for a second and final four-year term, recognising his leadership in advancing regional integration and development. President Rajoelina expressed gratitude to all attending Heads of State and Government for their support and participation.

The 45th SADC Summit reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to building a resilient, industrialised, and integrated Southern Africa, promoting food security, economic growth, and sustainable development for the region’s citizens.