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The 44th SADC Ordinary Summit was held in Harare in August 2024, and covered various economic, political, and humanitarian issues affecting the region. Perhaps the most important outcome was the Summit’s endorsement of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), an agreement between SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the East African Community (EAC). This free trade area encompasses a combined market of 700 million people with a GDP of $1 trillion, and it marks a substantial step toward economic integration in the region. A second key theme was encapsulated under the banner of "Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth." It stressed the importance of innovation in driving industrial growth across the core sectors of manufacturing, minerals and agriculture, all of which are critical for regional economic development. The Summit delegates also discussed the region's critical humanitarian and health challenges and urged member states to deepen their preparedness for continued climate-related disasters. There was also a strong focus on the health sector, especially the regional response to the mpox virus, which has already been declared a public health emergency. Member states were encouraged to coordinate their health responses with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Political stability and security were central to the Summit’s discussions. SADC reaffirmed its support for peace initiatives, particularly in the eastern DRC. Efforts by Angola to mediate between the DRC and Rwanda through the Luanda Process were commended. Additionally, the Summit adopted a Declaration on the Protection of Persons with Albinism, a notable move towards human rights protections within the region. In summary, the 44th SADC Summit underscored the region’s commitment to fostering economic growth through regional trade agreements, preparing for climate and health challenges, supporting political stability, and upholding human rights. These actions reflect SADC’s focus on achieving an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful region through collective and strategic efforts by member states. |