Ramaphosa takes SADC helm, pledges to drive trade, industrialisation and regional integration

President Cyril Ramaphosa has set out South Africa’s priorities for its SADC chairpersonship, promising to deepen regional integration, advance industrialisation and strengthen regional trade while safeguarding peace, security and democracy.

He said South Africa would also work to strengthen regional value chains, expand intra-African trade and mobilise investment in infrastructure.

Ramaphosa said South Africa would work with other member states to advance the industrialisation agenda and place young people, women and entrepreneurs at the centre of the region’s economic transformation.

“Above all, we will work with every member state to translate our shared commitments into visible and lasting progress,” he said.

Ramaphosa thanked outgoing chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his leadership and stewardship of SADC, saying Zimbabwe had provided a firm foundation on which South Africa would continue to build.