SADC Moves Toward One African Market

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, signalling a renewed push for regional stability and accelerated economic integration.

Held virtually and chaired from Pretoria, the summit addressed political developments in the region and confirmed leadership transitions.

It reinforced a broader strategy to industrialise and link African markets through energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

According to the official communiqué released Friday, the Heads of State acknowledged the loss of life during recent protests in Madagascar and Tanzania and extended condolences to affected families.

Madagascar, facing domestic political developments, relinquished the rotating chair of SADC.

In line with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was appointed Interim Chair of SADC until August 2026, replacing Madagascar.

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the outgoing Chair, offered to host upcoming statutory meetings to ensure continuity during the transition.

Delivering opening remarks, President Ramaphosa underscored the need for collective action amid political and economic uncertainties:

“South Africa has humbly accepted to preside over this meeting as guided by the Treaty… We gather today not merely to deliberate on the agenda before us, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to the peace, stability and prosperity of our region.”

Addressing the Heads of State, Ramaphosa said regional challenges require decisive action:

“Solidarity at this moment demands courage to act decisively in defence of regional gains.”

He stressed that SADC citizens expect leadership that delivers an industrialised, peaceful and inclusive region, adding that the organisation must find pragmatic solutions rather than defer issues to future summits.

The summit formally reaffirmed the theme adopted earlier this year in Antananarivo:

“Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.”

SADC represents 370 million people and an estimated collective GDP of $800 billion (2024).

The leadership transition triggered by Madagascar’s internal situation served as a test of SADC’s constitutional mechanisms.

The ability to activate automatic succession, maintain continuity, and retain programme momentum was highlighted by delegates as proof that institutional resilience can withstand political shocks.