Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary Elias Magosi has called on member states to reduce dependence on foreign aid and embrace regional self-reliance, citing rising geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and a sharp decline in external funding.
Speaking at the opening of the SADC Council of Ministers meeting in Madagascar on Tuesday, Magosi said the current global climate – marked by tariff hikes and shifting alliances – underscores the urgency for the region to invest in its own resilience.
“It is becoming increasingly clear to all of us that we stand a better chance when we depend more on our own than on external support, which we have absolutely no control over,” he said.
SADC has long relied on international cooperating partners to fund its programmes.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the SADC Secretariat mobilised over US$194 million from external partners, with an additional US$12 million secured in the first quarter of 2025/26.
However, the region faces a staggering US$624.5 billion funding requirement to implement its Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, with only US$89 million expected from member states.
Magosi urged governments to scale up intra-regional trade, eliminate barriers and invest in infrastructure that accelerates integration.
He also called for a shift away from exporting raw commodities, noting that manufacturing contributes just 11 percent to SADC’s gross domestic product, far below the 30 percent target by 2030.
The remarks echo resolutions from the 24th Meeting of the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade held in Harare in June where ministers committed to boosting industrialisation, value addition and regional trade in goods and services.
The council meeting is expected to review progress on regional initiatives, assess funding gaps, and reaffirm SADC’s commitment to building a competitive, inclusive and industrialised community.
JN/APA