Stronger economic relations in Southern Africa

Context

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional communityof 16 countries. Around 366 million people live in its territory. The SADC’s aim is to achieve politically stable, socially just and sustainable economic development to benefit these people.

The many natural raw materials, especially minerals, and the large regional market offer important competitive advantages and enormous economic potential. Although SADC is already working to further industrialise the region and promote trade, the economy needs to modernize and become more competitive. As a precondition to promote regional trade, regional infrastructure and political cooperation must be improved.

Objective

Economic links are growing in the SADC region thanks to increased regional trade and industrialisation.

Approach

The programme cooperates closely with the SADC Secretariat and advises both the Secretariat and the SADC member states on technical issues – including trade in services and increasing women participation in the economy more effectively.

At the same time, the project identifies trade barriers, drafts proposals for their removal and promotes industrialisation in the region through regional value chain promotion. The SADC and its member countries have set priorities in these areas and are focusing on the pharmaceutical and medical technology value chain, the leather value chain and the light manufacturing sector.

In coordination with the SADC, the project advises and supports the member states, for example on harmonising regulatory processes. It further supports the private sector to provide economic impetus.

Overall, the project is assisting the SADC Secretariat withconcrete measures to implement the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RRISDP).

Last update: February 2024