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

President Cyril Ramaphosa accepts the SADC chairpersonship during the 46th Ordinary Summit in eThekwini, pledging to deepen regional integration, advance industrialisation and strengthen cooperation among member states.

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.