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Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders have called for greater regional self-reliance, collective investment and deeper economic integration as the region confronts mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.

This emerged during a media briefing at the conclusion of the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat held at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where ministers and regional officials reflected on the impact of global instability on Southern Africa.

Speaking during a media briefing, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said one of the key outcomes of the retreat was the recognition that the region must increasingly mobilise and invest its own resources rather than depend heavily on external financing.

“There are resources that are plenty within our space, your pension funds, your insurance funds, your private equities, including even funds that are sitting in the diaspora that can actually be brought back into our region.

“Therefore, it’s not every time that when we do projects, when we do activities that require funding, that we should always be looking outside,” Magosi said.

Magosi said ministers acknowledged that many pension funds from the region continue to be invested externally instead of supporting development within Southern Africa.

“What we need to do is determine what type of projects and programs can actually absorb those resources domestically, so they can help us to develop even the financial services sector of our region,” he said.

Energy security also emerged as a central issue during the retreat, with ministers emphasising the need for SADC countries to collectively utilise regional oil and gas resources.

Magosi said Angola and Mozambique’s energy capabilities should be viewed as strategic regional assets rather than national resources in isolation.

“There is a bigger market of close to almost 400 million in SADC, and therefore when you look at oil in Angola, oil in Mozambique, and gas in Mozambique, perhaps that should be the conversation and the picture that emerges,” he said.

He added that ministers agreed the region should explore joint investment and regional partnerships in the energy sector to ensure broader benefits across member states.

“How best can we exploit this together? The retreat actually felt like it enhanced the integration that we talk about,” Magosi said.

The Executive Secretary further highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in agriculture and veterinary systems, particularly in response to outbreaks such as Foot and Mouth Disease, which have negatively affected exports and small-scale farmers.

“We realised that there is a need for collective action. So, what do we need to do for Botswana to assist Botswana as a region so it’s able to produce enough vaccines for the region to address that?” he said. 

Meanwhile, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said SADC ministers had also prioritised discussions around debt management and regional financing mechanisms. 

Lamola said member states were working with institutions such as the African Development Bank and AUDA-NEPAD to establish a “Borrowers Club” aimed at strengthening cooperation among developing countries engaging international financial institutions.

“One of the issues that came through there was the Borrowers Club that we are encouraging. We have mandated our ministers of finance to work together towards this declaration to achieve the formation of the Borrowers Club,” Lamola said.

He said the initiative would allow African countries to collectively engage creditors and address challenges relating to debt and interest burdens.

On energy cooperation, Lamola revealed that ministers were also exploring possible regional investment into Angola’s Lobito refinery project as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional energy resilience.

“We have also encouraged our ministers of energy and finance to look into the possibility of SADC countries joining hands to invest in the Lobito refinery,” he said.

The Minister further addressed concerns relating to migration and recent anti-immigration protests in South Africa, reiterating that migration management must occur within the framework of the law and regional agreements.

“The free movement protocol also does not call for lawlessness; it calls for managed regular migration,” Lamola said.

He stressed that while SADC supports the free movement of people and goods, migration systems must remain regulated and supported by effective border management and law enforcement.

“There must still be processes of paperwork for proper papers that are required,” he said.

Lamola also linked migration pressures to broader regional economic challenges, arguing that stronger economic growth and industrialisation across Southern Africa would help reduce irregular migration.

“We are dealing mostly with economic migrants, so we need the economy of Zimbabwe to grow, we need the economy of South Africa to grow, we need the economy of Mozambique to grow,” he said.

He added that ministers had discussed expanding cross-border special economic zones and increasing regional integration to stimulate job creation and economic opportunity.

“This retreat was very key, was very important, it’s an economic solution to the SADC challenges,” Lamola said. – SAnews.gov.za

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International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says the future of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will be determined by the region’s ability to act collectively in response to growing geopolitical and economic pressures.

Delivering closing remarks at the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park on Saturday, Lamola said the gathering had reinforced the importance of African unity, shared responsibility and coordinated regional action.

Held from 22 to 24 May, the retreat brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from across the region to assess the impact of global geopolitical developments on Southern Africa’s economies, food systems, trade routes and energy security.

Drawing on African traditions of leadership and consultation, Lamola compared the retreat to historic gatherings where elders advised chiefs and kings on matters affecting communities.

“It is no coincidence that this retreat closes on the eve of Africa Day. Our retreat has surely lived up to this rich African tradition of collective wisdom, frank reflection, and shared responsibility in confronting the challenges facing our region and shaping a common future for our people,” he said. 

Lamola said ministers recognised that the region continues to face the effects of global conflicts, weakening multilateralism and increasing geopolitical fragmentation.

“Our retreat further acknowledged that our region continues to feel the harsh aftershocks of conflicts that disregard international law, weaken multilateralism, and inflict devastating humanitarian and economic consequences across the globe,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that Southern Africa possesses significant natural and economic resources that could help cushion member states against external shocks if countries work together.

“The retreat noted that our region has abundant natural resources… if we work together as a region collectively enhancing all our efforts, skills, and all the natural resources available in our region, we can be able to respond and be able to be cushioned against some of these aftershocks,” Lamola said.

He noted that these pressures have emerged while many economies were still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and confronting rising protectionism and geopolitical rivalry.

“These pressures have also emerged while our economies were still recovering from the scars of COVID-19 and confronting rising protectionism, unilateral tariffs, and intensifying geopolitical rivalry,” he said.

Lamola said ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional resilience, integration and sustainable development through coordinated policies and stronger institutions.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to collective action aimed at strengthening resilience, deepening regional integration, and advancing sustainable development across the member states,” he said.

The retreat focused on five major thematic areas, including financing regional integration, industrialisation, infrastructure and logistics, energy and mineral resources, as well as agriculture and food security.

Lamola said discussions produced concrete proposals aimed at strengthening regional value chains, expanding energy security and accelerating industrialisation.

“Concrete proposals emerged on how SADC can strengthen regional value chains in oil and gas, accelerate mineral beneficiation, fast-track land and maritime corridors, deepen agro-processing, expand energy security initiatives, share industrial expertise, and establish cross-border special economic zones capable of driving industrialisation and regional integration,” he said.

He added that ministers also discussed the need to strengthen regional financial institutions and improve domestic resource mobilisation to finance strategic infrastructure and development priorities.

“This retreat has reminded us that while global tensions may shape the environment around us, the future of our region will ultimately be determined by the boldness of our collective action, the strength of our regional solidarity, and our willingness to act together in pursuit of our shared destiny,” Lamola said.

The Minister concluded by emphasising the interconnected nature of SADC economies, saying growth in one member state would ultimately benefit the entire region.

“We are interlinked. We have a shared destiny. We also have to have a shared journey together to achieve prosperity,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za 

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With the arrival of the first batch of a 3.5 million-dose consignment of Biogénesis Bagó Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called on all provincial departments to prioritise vaccinating as many animals as possible over the coming weeks.

The remainder of the record-breaking shipment from Argentina is already en route and is expected to arrive during the week.

“This is the largest single consignment of FMD vaccines ever imported into South Africa. Provinces must now move with speed and urgency to scale up frontline vaccination efforts and protect our national herd of approximately 14 million cattle,” the Minister said on Sunday.

South Africa has successfully secured and imported a total of 13.5 million vaccine doses before the end of May 2026, including the 3.5 million doses that arrived on Sunday.

“The acquisition of 13.5 million doses in just four months demonstrates the seriousness with which we are confronting this disease,” Steenhuisen said.

The rollout forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s broader strategy to achieve and maintain “FMD free with vaccination” status, while safeguarding rural livelihoods, food security and agricultural exports.

“If we maintain this disciplined and aggressive trajectory, and ensure these vaccines are administered rapidly and effectively, we can ensure that South Africa never again experiences outbreaks on this scale. But the government cannot do this alone. 

“Every livestock owner has a responsibility to protect their animals through strict biosecurity measures, compliance with movement controls, and full participation in vaccination and identification programmes,” he said.

The Minister emphasised that defeating FMD requires a unified national effort across government, industry and farming communities.

“This is a moment that demands partnership and collective action. Commercial farmers, communal farmers, veterinarians, industry bodies and government all have a role to play if we are to defeat this disease and secure the future of our livestock sector.

“The stakes could not be higher. This is about protecting jobs, defending rural economies, safeguarding food security, and protecting the national interest,” Steenhuisen said.

To support the accelerated vaccination campaign, more Animal Health Technicians will be appointed and deployed across affected provinces to strengthen the frontline operations and expand vaccination capacity. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

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Southern African Development Community (SADC) Foreign Ministers have committed to a coordinated regional response aimed at strengthening economic resilience and shielding member states from escalating global geopolitical and economic disruptions.

This follows the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat held from 22 to 24 May 2026 in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where ministers assessed the impact of intensifying global tensions on trade, energy, food security and financial systems.

The retreat was convened in line with a decision taken at the SADC Council of Ministers meeting in March 2026, also held in South Africa, to reflect on evolving geopolitical developments and their implications for the region.

Delivering the outcome statement, South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Ronald Lamola said ministers had noted the growing risks posed by global instability, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, climate-related pressures, and disruptions to global supply chains.

“Ministers underscored the impact of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, including the current Middle-East conflict, climate-related pressures, and disruptions to global trade, energy, tourism, and financial systems, and noted that these factors are driving higher food and fuel prices, exchange-rate volatility, and increasing risks to food and energy security across Member States,” the statement read.

Ministers further reaffirmed their commitment to collective action to strengthen regional integration, enhance policy coherence and advance sustainable development across SADC member states.

They also committed to strengthening regional institutions and coordinated diplomacy to ensure a more unified SADC voice in global engagements.

The retreat deliberated on five key thematic areas, including financing regional integration, investment, public debt management and domestic revenue mobilisation; industrialisation, value chains and trade; infrastructure, transport and logistics; free movement of people, goods and services; energy, oil and gas; and agriculture and food security.

According to the outcome statement, ministers identified priority measures for collective action aimed at accelerating regional cooperation and implementation across these sectors.

“Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening regional solidarity, enhancing policy coherence, strengthening regional institutions, and deepening cooperation in order to build a more resilient, self-sustaining, and competitive SADC region,” the statement said.

They further agreed that the outcomes of the retreat should serve as a practical roadmap to strengthen accountability, coordination and implementation across member states.

The retreat also recommitted the region to advancing SADC Vision 2050, which sets out a long-term aspiration for a common future characterised by economic well-being, improved living standards, social justice, peace and security. 

“The Retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the SADC Vision 2050, which envisions a Common Future within a regional community that ensures economic well-being, improved standards of living and quality of life, freedom, social justice, and peace and security for the people of Southern Africa,” the statement read.

The meeting concluded in Skukuza against the backdrop of the Kruger National Park’s vast wilderness, with ministers leaving the retreat having adopted what is expected to guide the region’s collective response to global uncertainty in the years ahead. – SAnews.gov.za

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