Skukuza: Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders have called for greater regional self-reliance, collective investment, and deeper economic integration as the region confronts mounting geopolitical and economic pressures. This emerged during a media briefing at the conclusion of the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat held at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where ministers and regional officials reflected on the impact of global instability on Southern Africa.
According to South African Government News Agency, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi highlighted that one of the key outcomes of the retreat was the recognition that the region must increasingly mobilise and invest its own resources rather than depend heavily on external financing. Magosi emphasized the availability of local resources such as pension funds, insurance funds, and private equities, including funds sitting in the diaspora, which can be harnessed for regional development.
Magosi noted that many pension funds from the region continue to be invested externally instead of supporting development within Southern Africa. He called for the identification of projects and programs that can absorb these resources domestically to develop the financial services sector of the region.
Energy security was also a central issue during the retreat, with ministers stressing the need for SADC countries to collectively utilize regional oil and gas resources. Magosi pointed out that Angola and Mozambique's energy capabilities should be viewed as strategic regional assets rather than national resources in isolation. He added that ministers agreed on exploring joint investment and regional partnerships in the energy sector to ensure broader benefits across member states.
The Executive Secretary further underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in agriculture and veterinary systems, particularly in response to outbreaks such as Foot and Mouth Disease, which have negatively affected exports and small-scale farmers. He emphasized the need for collective action to produce enough vaccines for the region.
Meanwhile, South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola stated that SADC ministers had prioritized discussions around debt management and regional financing mechanisms. Lamola revealed that member states were working with institutions such as the African Development Bank and AUDA-NEPAD to establish a 'Borrowers Club' aimed at strengthening cooperation among developing countries engaging international financial institutions.
On energy cooperation, Lamola revealed that ministers were exploring possible regional investment into Angola's Lobito refinery project as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional energy resilience. He also addressed concerns relating to migration and recent anti-immigration protests in South Africa, emphasizing that migration management must occur within the framework of the law and regional agreements.
Lamola stressed that while SADC supports the free movement of people and goods, migration systems must remain regulated and supported by effective border management and law enforcement. He linked migration pressures to broader regional economic challenges, arguing that stronger economic growth and industrialization across Southern Africa would help reduce irregular migration.
He added that ministers had discussed expanding cross-border special economic zones and increasing regional integration to stimulate job creation and economic opportunity. Lamola concluded that the retreat was crucial as an economic solution to SADC challenges.