Namibian President Dr Hage Geingob celebrated the 27th anniversary of the formation of the SADC over the weekend by lauding the trade organisation’s primary objective of “furthering socio-economic cooperation across the region”.
In a recorded message, Geingob, who also chairs the SADC, said the trade body was making significant inroads into becoming an “effective regional organisation, contributing positively to economic development whilst ensuring peace and security”.
Initiatives he highlighted in this regard include the Regional Integrative Strategic Development Plan, the Regional Industrial Development Masterplan, and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap
“During my tenure I will strive to ensure that the SADC remains committed to promoting intra-African trade integration,” he said.
Geingob also mentioned the $204 million in aid that was raised for Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe after the devastation of Cyclone Idai earlier this year.
He furthermore shone a light on the SADC as a building block body within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) which was formally implemented on July 7 after it was ratified on May 30.
AcFTA, he said, “could accrue immense benefits” for the entire continent.
