SADC to Drive Innovation for Sustainable Economic Growth Under New Leadership
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), now under the leadership of Zimbabwe’s President Emerson Mnangagwa, has prioritized innovation as a key driver for unlocking sustainable economic growth in the region.
This focus on innovation builds on the foundations laid by outgoing Chairman, President Joe Manuel Mrosso of Mozambique, who emphasized peace, food security, and industrialization during his tenure.
Speaking at the SADC anniversary event in Abuja, Angola’s Ambassador Bamoquina Jose Zau, outgoing Chair of the SADC Group in Nigeria, highlighted the significant progress made under Mrosso’s leadership. “We are grateful for President Mrosso’s commitment to promoting industrialization and economic growth, and we welcome President Mnangagwa as he takes the reins to further this mission through innovation,” Zau said.
SADC, founded in 1980 as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), has since evolved into a regional body focused on sustainable development, peace, and security. With 17 member states, the organization has played a key role in fostering economic cooperation and regional stability.
Mnangagwa’s chairmanship will focus on harnessing innovation to create jobs, improve living standards, and stimulate economic transformation across Southern Africa. “Innovation is essential for unlocking the region’s potential and driving long-term growth,” Zau added.
Meanwhile, the region continues to address security challenges. The SADC summit in Tanzania commended peace efforts between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and called for an end to hostilities. Efforts to stabilize eastern Congo and Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province remain high on SADC’s agenda.
In addition to promoting economic growth and peace, the anniversary event also highlighted the role of media in shaping Africa’s narrative. Voice of Nigeria’s Director General, Jubrin Ndace, emphasized the need for African countries to tell their own stories.
“We must create a positive narrative about Africa,” Ndace said, proposing a partnership between SADC and Voice of Nigeria to promote cultural exchange and positive stories from the continent.
The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among member states to tackle the challenges of poverty, inequality, and climate change, with a renewed commitment to creating a brighter future for the people of Southern Africa.
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