DURBAN, South Africa: SADC leaders have adopted measures aimed at strengthening regional integration, expanding trade, improving security and accelerating economic development across Southern Africa.
The decisions were contained in the communiqué of the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, held in Durban on 17 August 2026 under the chairpersonship of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The summit was attended by His Majesty King Mswati III and representatives of all SADC member states. Leaders also elected President Ramaphosa as the new SADC Chairperson, with Zambia designated as the incoming chair. 
His Majesty King Mswati III was elected Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
The summit adopted the theme, “Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.”
The theme places infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals at the centre of efforts to build a competitive, climate resilient and inclusive regional economy.
Peace and security
The summit expressed solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and supported regional and international initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security.
Leaders called for the protection of civilians, stronger humanitarian and public health responses, inclusive dialogue and greater resilience in dealing with the country’s continuing challenges.
On Madagascar, the summit welcomed engagement facilitated by the SADC Panel of Elders, supported by the SADC Mediation Reference Group and the SADC Secretariat.
SADC said its support for Madagascar would focus on inclusive governance, democratic institutions, accountability, human rights, citizen participation and the restoration of constitutional normalcy.
Political stakeholders in Madagascar were urged to preserve the relative calm in the country and use dialogue to address their differences.
The summit also commended Mozambique for its inclusive national dialogue process and its continued efforts to combat terrorism in parts of Cabo Delgado Province.
Leaders further commended President Daniel Francisco Chapo for inaugurating the SADC Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre in Maputo in June 2026.
The centre will support efforts to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
SADC congratulated Zimbabwe on its election as a non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027 to 2028 term.
The regional bloc expressed confidence that Zimbabwe would promote multilateral cooperation and represent the interests of SADC, Africa and the Global South at the Security Council.
The summit repeated its call for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, saying they continued to restrict the country’s ability to reach its full economic potential.
Trade and industrialisation
SADC leaders called on member states to use emerging opportunities in the global economy to deepen regional integration, expand trade and investment, mobilise domestic resources and build collective resilience.
The summit endorsed the findings of the mid term review of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020 to 2030.
The review recommended concentrating resources on high impact priorities, including industrialisation, regional value chains, agro processing, critical minerals, a just energy transition, economic corridors, one stop border posts and health financing.
Member states were urged to increase trade in agricultural products by removing non tariff barriers, harmonising standards and improving cross border logistics.
The measures are intended to support the movement of food from areas with surplus production to areas facing shortages, while helping stabilise supply and prices.
The summit also commended countries that had ratified the agreement establishing the SADC Regional Development Fund.
Member states that have not yet ratified the agreement were urged to complete the process so that the fund can support regional infrastructure, industrialisation and socio economic development programmes.
Tourism and movement
The summit approved the agreement establishing the SADC Tourism UNIVISA and called on member states to sign it.
The proposed visa system is expected to make travel across the region easier for tourists, support multi destination tourism, strengthen regional integration and attract more investment.
SADC leaders said the initiative could increase visitor arrivals and support economic growth across participating countries.sanews+1
Member states were also urged to sign and ratify outstanding SADC legal instruments to strengthen cooperation and accelerate regional integration.
Health and climate
The summit called for stronger disease surveillance and preparedness to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks and pandemics.
Member states were urged to share information promptly and coordinate their responses to health emergencies.
SADC also called for continued support to the Democratic Republic of Congo in responding to the Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus.
Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation and other partners were commended for providing financial and technical support to the response.
The summit noted regional efforts to control Foot and Mouth Disease and designated the Botswana Vaccine Institute as a regional Foot and Mouth Disease antigen and vaccine bank.
Member states were also urged to prepare for possible El Niño related climate shocks.
The preparations include early warning systems, drought response measures, climate smart agriculture, irrigation development and the use of drought tolerant crops.
Youth and women
SADC leaders called on member states to expand women’s representation in leadership and decision making.
Countries that have not met the targets contained in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development were urged to accelerate progress through legislative measures and policies.
Member states were also called upon to strengthen efforts to prevent gender based violence and protect human rights.
The summit urged governments to include youth programmes in national and regional development plans.
It called for adequate resources for youth focused initiatives covering skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, employment creation and leadership opportunities.
Regional leadership
The summit commended outgoing SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe for his support for regional integration and economic development during his tenure.
It also praised President Ramaphosa for his leadership and guidance in advancing the priorities of the previous summit theme.
The summit welcomed South Africa’s organisation of the ninth SADC Industrialisation Week and Exhibition, held in Durban from 26 to 31 July 2026.
It also welcomed the declaration from the event, which called for stronger regional industrial value chains, increased production, greater value addition, expanded intra SADC trade and improved industrial competitiveness.
The summit approved the appointment of former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi and former Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano to the SADC Panel of Elders.
The two former presidents will support mediation, conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy in the region.
SADC also welcomed Angola’s invitation to leaders to attend the Extraordinary African Union Summit on strengthening conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms in Africa.
The meeting is scheduled to take place in Luanda from 29 to 30 August 2026.
The 47th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in Zambia.
