Senior officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe, for a three-day meeting to review policies and assess the progress of regional transport, information and communications technology (ICT), information, and meteorology programmes. Running from February 24 to 26, 2025, the meeting serves as a preparatory session ahead of the SADC Ministers’ Cluster Meeting scheduled for February 28.
The discussions focus on infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and project implementation, all aimed at boosting economic growth and trade within the region. Attendees include government representatives, policymakers, and industry experts exploring strategies to enhance regional integration and technological advancements.
Chairing the meeting, Engineer Joy Makumbe, Permanent Secretary for Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, acknowledged the progress made by SADC member states in infrastructure investments. However, she noted ongoing challenges requiring coordinated efforts to improve efficiency and sustainability across these sectors.
Makumbe called for modernizing infrastructure, strengthening transport networks, advancing digital transformation, and enhancing climate resilience. She urged SADC governments, the private sector, and development partners to collaborate on resource mobilization and policy implementation, citing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as crucial for funding large-scale infrastructure projects.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, stressed the importance of infrastructure development for the region’s industrialization and economic expansion. She said efficient transport and ICT systems are essential for economic growth, trade facilitation, and investment attraction.
N’tumba also warned of the impact of climate variability, which has led to extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts, significantly affecting socio-economic stability. She called for strengthened meteorological cooperation and proactive measures to mitigate these challenges.
