Southern African leaders met in Madagascar to chart a path for self-reliance

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit was held in Antananarivo on Sunday, with Madagascar assuming the bloc’s rotating presidency for the first time.Leaders from 16 countries set the course for the region’s future, discussing how to boost trade within the area and reduce dependence on outside partners.The theme this year was clear: remove barriers, move goods faster and keep more value at home.Opening the SADC Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said higher customs tariffs, shrinking aid, and political unrest abroad are squeezing the region.“It is becoming increasingly evident that we are more likely to succeed when we depend more on our own resources than on external support over which we have absolutely no control,” he said.“To achieve this, we must strengthen intra-regional trade, remove trade barriers and invest in essential infrastructure.”Building up manufacturingSADC aims to increase manufacturing's contribution to its GDP to 30 per cent by 2030, nearly triple the current 11 per cent. The aim is to build an economy that can continue to function when the global market stumbles.Madagascar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rafaravavitafika Rasata, who chairs the Council of Ministers, said all member states need to be part of the plan.“By combining the maritime, economic, environmental and cultural potential of the islands with the resources and agricultural and industrial power of the continental member states, we can build the autonomous and competitive SADC we want,” she said.Political tensionsThe summit comes at a time of political strain in Madagascar. Former presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina have criticised holding the event in Antananarivo.In a joint statement, they accused President Andry Rajoelina’s government of presiding over a worsening political and economic climate.They cited alleged restrictions on peaceful protests, what they called the “llack of real independence” of the electoral commission, and a situation in which 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.They warned that pressing ahead without tackling these issues “would undermine the credibility of the SADC”.Rajoelina rejected their accusations, saying his predecessors were trying to discourage SADC leaders from attending. He called the summit a historic opportunity for both Madagascar and the region as the island takes the bloc’s leadership for the first time. SADC Council of Ministers meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Tuesday, 12 August 2025. Photo: SADC

Southern African leaders met in Madagascar to chart a path for self-reliance

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-19

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Southern African leaders met in Madagascar to chart a path for self-reliance

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-19

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