South Africa Unveils Priorities for 2026 SADC Chairmanship Ahead of Regional Summit
South Africa has outlined its priorities for its 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairmanship, focusing on regional integration, industrialisation, peace and security, infrastructure development and socio-economic growth ahead of the August 46th SADC Summit.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Pretoria — South Africa has outlined an ambitious agenda for its upcoming Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), pledging to accelerate regional integration, industrialisation, peace and security, and socio-economic development across the 16-member bloc.
Making a presentation during a media workshop held on Monday, July 13, a representative from the South Africa Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said South Africa is expected to assume the SADC Chairmanship at the 46th SADC Summit in August 2026 after serving as interim chair following Madagascar's withdrawal.
South Africa's Chairmanship strategy, as presented, will be anchored on the SADC Treaty, SADC Vision 2050, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063.
The officials said the strategy is intended to translate regional aspirations into practical actions at a time when Southern Africa is facing significant geopolitical, economic and developmental challenges.
The presentation highlighted industrial development and market integration, infrastructure development, and social and human capital development as the three key pillars of the RISDP, supported by peace, security and good governance as the foundation for regional integration.
Cross-cutting priorities include gender equality, youth empowerment, climate resilience and improved regional statistics.
South Africa said its previous terms leading SADC produced significant policy outcomes, including the launch of the SADC Free Trade Area in 2008, adoption of the Protocol on Gender and Development, and advancement of regional trade and industrialisation initiatives during its 2017 Chairmanship.
DIRCO also noted that South Africa's interim leadership has already helped sustain SADC programmes by hosting several Ministerial meetings that had originally been scheduled for Madagascar.
Zimbabwe also hosted a number of statutory and sectoral meetings under the revised arrangements.
As part of its full Chairmanship programme, South Africa plans to host the SADC Industrialisation Week ahead of the summit to promote regional value chains, encourage private sector participation and increase youth and women's involvement in industrial development.
A public lecture aimed at raising awareness of regional integration and showcasing SADC's achievements will also be held on the margins of the summit.
