By Baboloki Semele: At the 44th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Harare, leaders emphasized the importance of leveraging regional youth potential to drive innovation, industrialization, and socio-economic growth. The summit, which convened Heads of State and Government from across the region, was held under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialized SADC.”
In his inaugural address as the new SADC Chair, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored the need for Southern African countries to harness their innovation capabilities. He called on the region’s youth and entrepreneurs, particularly women, to embrace the technological revolution to maximize the value of natural resources and accelerate development.
“We must ensure that youth and entrepreneurs, including women, embrace technology and innovation for development,” President Mnangagwa stated. He also highlighted the critical role of unity and solidarity among SADC nations in achieving these development goals. He urged member states to implement innovative strategies across sectors to remain competitive in the fourth industrial revolution and to develop programs that transform both livelihoods and economies.
The summit also addressed the urgent need for adaptive measures to combat the impacts of climate change, with President Mnangagwa emphasizing the importance of collective action within the region.
Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), echoed these sentiments, calling on SADC to lead Africa in crafting homegrown solutions for domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing to address climate challenges and sustain development. Gatete noted that the sovereign debt in Africa has surpassed USD 1 trillion, placing over a third of the continent’s nations at high risk of debt distress.
Gatete highlighted the immense opportunities within the SADC region, which boasts some of the world’s largest reserves of gold, copper, cobalt, lithium, and other critical minerals. He argued that by scaling up regional value chains in energy, agriculture, and minerals, SADC could achieve sustainable industrialization, food security, and job creation, thereby reducing poverty and inequalities.
“There is no reason why Africa should import food worth USD 120 billion per year when SADC can be Africa’s breadbasket,” Gatete remarked. He pointed out the region’s potential to increase exports in the beef and leather value chains and become a continental energy provider by developing its solar and wind energy sectors, which currently utilize only one percent of their potential.
Gatete emphasized that rapid industrialization in SADC is not merely a convenience but a necessity, and that regional cooperation and partnerships are essential to unlocking economic growth. “We have no choice but to look inward for homegrown solutions, including domestic resource mobilization and innovative financing for climate, to sustain our development,” he added.
Outgoing SADC Chair and Angolan President João Lourenço praised the progress made in various sectors, including energy, transport, water resources, and internet coverage. He noted that 86% of the region now has mobile network coverage, with 54% of the population having access to the internet. President Lourenço urged member states to continue investing in energy infrastructure and sustainable practices to further promote economic development.
Lourenço also highlighted efforts to facilitate regional movement of people and goods, such as the introduction of visa exemptions and the creation of one-stop border posts. These initiatives aim to simplify cross-border movement and enhance regional integration.
Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, the new President of SADC, emphasized the importance of peace, security, and governance in achieving the region’s innovation and economic growth goals. He acknowledged the challenges SADC faces, particularly in peace and security, and stressed the need for continued collaboration among member states to build a prosperous future for all citizens.
SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi concluded by addressing the low levels of intra-regional trade, primarily due to non-tariff barriers. He called for renewed efforts to reduce these barriers and promote cooperation within the region. Magosi also highlighted the potential of SADC’s youth population, emphasizing the need to harness the demographic dividend through new technologies and innovation.
As SADC moves forward under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the region is poised to take a leading role in Africa’s journey toward sustainable development, leveraging its natural resources, innovative strategies, and the potential of its youth.
