South Africa has placed infrastructure development at the centre of its agenda as it takes over the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Pretoria formally assumed the role this week at the regional bloc’s summit in Durban, after serving as interim chair in 2025. South Africa will lead SADC until August 2027.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the region has the natural resources and workforce needed to drive stronger economic growth, but better infrastructure is needed to turn that potential into jobs, industrial production and increased trade.
He highlighted Southern Africa’s mineral wealth, agricultural potential and renewable energy resources, as well as its young population.
For South Africa, the focus comes as SADC seeks to strengthen economic cooperation among its 16 member states and improve the region’s position in global trade.
Ramaphosa also called for greater regional cooperation on irregular migration to South Africa, following tensions and attacks against foreign nationals that forced thousands of people to leave the country.
Better roads, railways, ports and energy networks could make it easier to move goods across borders and support investment in manufacturing and other industries.
The bloc’s wider mandate includes promoting economic growth, social development, good governance, peace and security across Southern Africa.
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