ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR – Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has assumed the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community after a formal handover from Zimbabwe’s President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa at the 45th Ordinary SADC Summit.
President Mnangagwa expressed confidence in Rajoelina’s leadership to guide the region’s integration agenda and thanked member states for their support during his tenure. He also acknowledged Malawi’s President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for his ongoing contributions to SADC initiatives.
The SADC Chairmanship rotates annually, with the elected leader overseeing regional initiatives, fostering cooperation, and implementing the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan from 2020 to 2050. During his term, Mnangagwa focused on advancing industrialisation and innovation across the region, goals that align with Eswatini’s efforts to boost intra-regional trade and develop infrastructure. 
President Rajoelina now leads SADC for the 2025–2026 term, pledging to drive closer regional cooperation and development among member states.
