Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango represented President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 45th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit, which took place at the Ivato International Conference Centre in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The summit saw a handover of leadership, with Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa transferring the SADC Chairmanship to Madagascar’s President Andry Nirina Rajoelina, who will serve for the next one year.
At the same time, Tanzania concluded its one-year leadership of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, chaired by President Samia since August 2024, and handed over the role to Malawi.
In his opening address, President Mnangagwa praised President Samia for steering the Organ with commitment and ensuring peace and stability across the region.
He underscored Tanzania’s contribution to promoting democracy, conflict resolution, and security within SADC member states.
The summit reviewed progress made under the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, focusing on achievements and challenges within its four priority pillars: peace, security and democratic governance; industrial development and market integration; infrastructure development to support regional integration; and social and human resource development.
Discussions highlighted key achievements, including a decline in terrorism incidents, stronger democratic practices through credible elections, expanded access to financial services, growth in the value of manufactured exports, and increased use of the regional payment system the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS).
The meeting also recognized individuals who made notable contributions to the region. Among them was Tanzanian secondary school student Crispin Kamugisha, who won the SADC essay writing competition and received a prize of USD 1,500.
Held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” the 45th Summit reinforced the region’s collective vision of strengthening integration and resilience through cooperation.
