On August 17, 2024, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, the outgoing Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), delivered a significant address at the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe.
President Lourenço underscored the notable progress in industrialization, regional integration, and peacekeeping efforts, while also addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
The summit brought together the region’s top leaders to reflect on achievements, tackle current issues, and plan for future growth.
In his opening remarks, President Lourenço expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe for their exceptional hospitality.
He also warmly welcomed His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba, the newly inaugurated President of Namibia, who was attending his first SADC Summit following the passing of former President Hage G. Geingob.
In a poignant tribute, President Lourenço honored leaders and soldiers who had passed away in the past year, including Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima of Malawi and former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
He proposed a moment of silence to honor their memory and reflect on the deep loss felt across the region.
Focusing on industrialization as a key driver of regional integration and economic growth, President Lourenço highlighted the theme adopted during Angola’s tenure as Chair: “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation in the SADC Region.”
This theme emphasized the development of skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the digital economy.
Under his leadership, SADC collaborated closely with the Secretariat to promote key value chains in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, minerals, and consumer goods.
These efforts aimed to strengthen regional production capacities, create jobs, and prepare the region for the challenges of digitalization.
Looking ahead, President Lourenço expressed confidence in Zimbabwe’s leadership as the incoming Chair.
The new theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC,” aims to continue driving progress by harnessing science, technology, and innovation as fundamental drivers of socio-economic transformation.
Despite the progress made, President Lourenço acknowledged the significant challenges remaining, particularly in infrastructure development.
He pointed out the region’s annual infrastructure financing gap of $30-40 billion USD and called for urgent action to operationalize the Regional Development Fund (RDF).
The RDF is essential for supporting industrial, social, human, and infrastructure development and stimulating sustainable growth across the region.
He urged the private sector, development finance institutions, and international partners to collaborate with SADC in mobilizing the necessary resources to implement prioritized regional projects, as outlined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plans (RISDP) 2020-2030.
President Lourenço reported significant advancements in digital infrastructure, with 86% mobile network coverage across the SADC region, nearing the 95% target for 2030.
However, he noted that internet penetration remains at 54%, indicating the need for more efforts to bring the entire region online.
Energy access, crucial for industrialization, also remains a challenge, with the region falling short of the 85% electricity access target for 2030.
While some member states have achieved full access, others lag behind. President Lourenço emphasized the importance of continued investment in energy infrastructure, diversification of energy sources, and adoption of sustainable practices to ensure reliable power supply and promote regional development.
The outgoing Chairperson also highlighted efforts to improve freedom of movement within the SADC region, which is vital for fostering economic growth, social development, and cultural exchange.
He praised the establishment of One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and visa exemptions among member states, facilitating trade and movement.
The Lobito Corridor, an Angolan infrastructure project connecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to the Atlantic Ocean, was noted as a key development to enhance economic growth in the region.
In his address, President Lourenço acknowledged progress in health, particularly in reducing HIV and malaria incidence rates, but also pointed out the challenges posed by natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
He called for continued efforts to address these issues and emphasized the role of the newly operational SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre in coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Peace and security remain central to SADC’s agenda, with the conflict in eastern DRC continuing to pose significant challenges.
President Lourenço noted the ongoing ceasefire and peace negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC, facilitated by Angola’s mediation.
He also highlighted the successful conclusion of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which played a crucial role in combating terrorism and violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.
President Lourenço concluded his address with a call for global peace, urging an end to the wars in Sudan and Ukraine, and condemning the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
He advocated for peace negotiations and respect for state sovereignty, stressing that global stability is essential for achieving SADC’s regional development goals.
In a symbolic gesture, President Lourenço handed over the Chairship of SADC to President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the region towards deeper integration, sustainable development, and peace.
