Namibia’s President, Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat to accelerate practical programmes that will strengthen regional integration.

She highlighted the potential benefits of improving value chains across member states, saying this could boost innovation, drive sustainable development, and create shared prosperity across Southern Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Elias Mpedi Magosi, at State House. She reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to SADC’s mission and stressed that peace, security, and economic integration remain essential pillars for building a united and prosperous region.

The visit is part of the Executive Secretary’s efforts to meet with Heads of State, share his vision for the Secretariat, and seek guidance on advancing sustainable approaches to integration, peace, and security.

During the meeting, Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed updates on regional developments and stressed the need for close collaboration between SADC member states and the Secretariat. Magosi briefed her on several priorities, including peace and security initiatives to maintain stability, the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF) to finance infrastructure, industrialisation, and investment projects, and measures to improve trade and boost intra-regional commerce.

He noted that the RDF represents a shift from reliance on external aid towards African-led solutions, enabling SADC to fund its own priorities. He also highlighted the importance of ratifying legal instruments to strengthen trade and investment, creating one-stop border posts to ease cross-border movement, and addressing obstacles such as non-tariff barriers, poor transport links, and inconsistent regulations.

–ChannelAfrica/SADC–