Finance officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are meeting in Pretoria to assess the regional bloc’s financial health and explore strategies to increase budget resources.
The Tanzanian delegation is led by Mr. Rishade Bade, Commissioner for External Finance at the Ministry of Finance.
Key discussions include reviewing member states’ contributions to SADC, examining the implementation of the 2025/26 budget for the nine-month period from April to December 2025, and presenting proposals for the 2026/27 budget.
The meeting will also consider medium-term revenue and expenditure forecasts for 2027/28 to 2030/31.
Delegates are placing particular emphasis on identifying new sources of funding to support regional projects and operationalize the Regional Development Fund (RDF).
Eleven out of the sixteen SADC member states, including Tanzania, have signed the agreement establishing the RDF, which is expected to finance development projects across the region.
This Finance Committee session is part of the preparatory process ahead of the 47th SADC Council of Ministers Meeting, scheduled for March 12–13, 2026, where final budget decisions and policy directions for the region will be made.
SADC officials say strengthening budget resources and mobilizing funding for regional development is critical for implementing projects that advance integration, economic growth, and shared prosperity among member states.
