Cape Town – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday welcomed Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) to a dinner at Genadendal Official Residence in Cape Town, setting the stage for the 9th SACU Summit scheduled for Friday.
The summit will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together leaders and senior officials from the five SACU member states: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.
Regional economic integration, industrial development and trade cooperation are expected to dominate proceedings when Ramaphosa addresses the gathering, which serves as SACU’s highest decision-making body. 
“Among the key items on the agenda will be an update from the SACU Council of Ministers on the implementation and mid-term review of the SACU Strategic Plan (2022–2027), reflections on emerging global developments and their impact on SACU economies, as well as a report on the re-imagined SACU and its future direction,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Member states will also assess progress on industrialisation, regional value chains, customs modernisation, trade facilitation, investment promotion and opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The summit follows a series of technical, administrative and ministerial meetings held from 18 to 24 June 2026.
Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and senior government officials.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10am, followed by a family photo session, with a closing ceremony to conclude proceedings later in the day.
Established as the world’s oldest functioning customs union, SACU continues to promote trade, industrial development and economic integration among its member states.
