President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed the Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, held at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, Harare. The handover ceremony was conducted by the outgoing Chairman, Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves, who presented Mnangagwa with the SADC Badge and gavel. The event was attended by 13 out of 16 Heads of State and Government, alongside over 500 delegates from across the region.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa expressed deep gratitude to the outgoing Chair for his visionary leadership and also thanked Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, the outgoing Chair of the SADC Organ Troika, for his commitment during his tenure. Mnangagwa accepted the Chairmanship with humility and grace, emphasizing his intent to draw on the collective wisdom and experience of his fellow Heads of State as he leads SADC.
Highlighting the importance of industrialization and innovation, President Mnangagwa called for a renewed focus on these areas to fulfill the goals set out in the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063. He underscored the need for the region to safeguard its sovereignty and self-determination, particularly in the face of external pressures, and called for the operationalization of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Centre to address climate-induced challenges.
The strong regional support for Mnangagwa was evident in the high turnout at the summit, with 13 out of 16 Heads of State and Government present. This participation underscored the legitimacy of Mnangagwa’s leadership and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s standing in the region, effectively silencing critics.
Zimbabwe’s commitment to the SADC Industrialisation Strategy is already evident in its national policies, such as the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra and the “Nyika Inovakwa, Igotongwa, Igonamatirwa Nevene Vayo” philosophy. These initiatives focus on innovation, research, and development through Education 5.0 and the establishment of innovation hubs, demonstrating the country’s dedication to driving economic growth and industrialization.
As SADC Chairman, President Mnangagwa’s leadership is expected to build on these foundations, driving the region towards greater industrialization, economic growth, and resilience in the face of emerging challenges.
