Under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” the summit in Antananarivo on Sunday aimed to foster regional integration by enhancing industrial capacity, modernizing agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, who took over the SADC chairmanship from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, called the summit “historic”.
This summit marked the first time the Indian Ocean island nation had hosted the meeting since joining the bloc 20 years ago.
Rajoelina emphasized the importance of accelerating industrialization and expanding trade within the region. SADC aims for manufacturing to make up 30 percent of its GDP by 2030.
The sector’s current share stands at 11% with South Africa being the bloc’s leading manufacturing nation.
