Opening the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban on August 17, Ramaphosa said the regional bloc needed to deepen cooperation to unlock the full potential of its 400 million people and abundant natural resources. “We gather at this Summit to give practical meaning to its promise: to transform borders into bridges, national economies into a shared market, and geographical proximity into shared prosperity,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa paid tribute to outgoing SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa and acknowledged the contribution of member states in advancing the regional integration agenda.
Addressing regional economic challenges, Ramaphosa said SADC continues to underperform despite progress through initiatives such as the SADC Free Trade Area, the Southern African Power Pool and cross-border payment systems. “Our region recorded economic growth of approximately 3.4% in 2025. Yet intra-SADC trade accounted for only around one-fifth of the region’s total trade,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said the region continues to export raw materials instead of processing them locally and still imports goods that could be manufactured within Southern Africa. “We continue to export raw materials that we could process and beneficiate ourselves,” Ramaphosa said.
“Every raw mineral exported without beneficiation represents value that has left our shores.”
Ramaphosa urged member states to prioritise regional value chains, infrastructure development, energy security, water security and digital connectivity.
Ramaphosa said greater investment was needed in roads, railways, ports and electricity infrastructure to strengthen regional trade and economic growth. “We have everything we need across the 16 Member States of our Community to meet the needs of our people,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying SADC should position itself to take advantage of access to a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people.
Turning to health issues, Ramaphosa expressed concern about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed more than 2 300 lives and infected nearly 5 000 people. “We must do more, and we must act with urgency,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa called for safe humanitarian access, stronger disease surveillance systems and increased investment in vaccine, medicine and diagnostic production across Africa.
Ramaphosa said peace and stability remain essential for economic development and regional integration. “Peace without development is fragile. Development without peace is impossible,” Ramaphosa said.
Closing the address, Ramaphosa called on SADC leaders to ensure that regional decisions translate into tangible benefits for citizens. “Our communiqués must become construction sites, factories, power lines, water systems, laboratories, businesses and jobs,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa officially declared the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government open, urging member states to work towards the goals set out in SADC Vision 2050 of building a peaceful, industrialised and prosperous region.
–ChannelAfrica–
