SADC and Russia strengthen cooperation

August 17, 2026

SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Angele Makombo N’Tumba and Russia’s Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa Tatiana Dovgalenko sit with their respective delegations during bilateral discussions in Durban, South Africa. Photo by SADC

The Southern African Development Community and Russia are working to finalise an action plan aimed at expanding cooperation between the regional bloc and the Russian Federation.

The matter was discussed in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday, 16 August 2026, during a meeting between SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Angele Makombo N’Tumba and Tatiana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa at Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.x

The meeting took place on the margins of the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

Discussions centred on the draft action plan linked to the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding on the Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation between SADC and Russia.

The memorandum provides a framework for cooperation in political affairs, industrial development, trade, economic relations, humanitarian activities, science and technology, as well as social and cultural programmes.

SADC and Russia also maintain relations through bilateral partnerships between Russia and individual SADC member states.

The officials discussed the steps required to complete and implement the action plan. Proposed areas of cooperation include digital infrastructure and information and communication technology, economics and finance, agriculture and engagement with non state actors.

The meeting also considered the formal adoption of the action plan and the possible start of support for programmes to be implemented under the agreement.

Military and security cooperation also featured in the discussions. The parties referred to an existing memorandum on military technical cooperation, which provides for capacity building, training, research and development, technology transfer and support for regional peace and security.

SADC has expressed interest in Russian support for the Regional Logistics Depot, the SADC Standby Force and other non armament capabilities.

The meeting also considered the planned third Africa Russia Summit, expected to take place in 2026. The summit is viewed as an opportunity to expand relations between Russia and African countries in areas such as politics, trade, science, technology, security, culture and humanitarian affairs.