By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated his Madagascan counterpart, Andry Rajoelina, for his accession to Chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the 2025–2026 term.
Ramaphosa attended the SADC 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Madagascar.
The summit was a historic moment for Madagascar, following the country’s membership of SADC in August 2005.
The summit focused on accelerating regional integration through key pillars: strengthening industrial capacity and regional value chains, modernising agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition, all aimed at building a resilient, sustainable, and cohesive SADC region.
The summit took place at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, also saw South Africa formally accepting its Chairship of SADC for 2026-2027.
The regional leaders urged stronger industrial capacity and modernized agriculture to drive integration.
Opening the summit, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi noted that agriculture contributes 33 percent of the region’s gross domestic product and provides income for 62 percent of its population, yet nearly 60 million people remain food insecure in 2024.
“This challenge highlights the urgency of transforming agriculture to ensure food security and stimulate growth,” Magosi said, while emphasising the region’s potential in renewable energies, particularly solar and wind power.
Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina, who assumed the rotating SADC chairmanship from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, called the summit “historic,” marking Madagascar’s first time hosting since joining the bloc 20 years ago.
Pledging to “carry the torch with fervour and determination” for the entire regional community, Rajoelina stressed the need to accelerate industrialisation and expand intra-regional trade.
The Madagascan president also called for member states to show unity and boldness in defending their commercial interests globally. “I am committed to strengthening political and economic cohesion so that the SADC speaks with one voice, particularly when dealing with the major powers, in defending our commercial interests,” he said.
Held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” the summit centres on accelerating regional integration through strengthening industrial capacity and regional value chains, modernizing agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition.
Ramaphosa said that he was confident that his Madagascan counterpart, Rajoelina, would build on Zimbabwe’s efforts in the 2025-2026 term before South Africa takes over.
“We are confident that under your stewardship, SADC will continue to advance regional integration, economic resilience, and sustainable development. May your tenure be marked by unity, innovation, and progress for all member states.”
Ramaphosa added government and the people of South Africa look forward to welcoming member states to South Africa in August next year when it will be hosting the 46th SADC Summit.