The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Cluster Meeting, held at the Rainbow Towers in Harare, Zimbabwe, from February 24 to 28, 2025, brought together senior officials responsible for transport, information and communication technology (ICT), and meteorology. The event underscored the critical role of innovation and infrastructure in driving sustained economic growth and industrialisation within the region.
Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, opened the meeting with remarks emphasizing the importance of strong infrastructure in achieving the region’s broader development objectives. She acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, including extreme weather events such as cyclones and floods, which have severely impacted the region’s infrastructure. Ms. N’tumba pointed out that these disruptions highlight the need for integrated solutions that encompass transport, ICT, and meteorology.
She made it clear that in order to facilitate regional socio-economic growth, SADC member states must prioritize developing robust infrastructure networks that support efficient movement of goods and people. This would, in turn, promote investment, improve quality of life, and enable access to essential services for local communities. Notably, she highlighted that innovation in ICT and meteorology, particularly in the use of advanced technology to predict weather patterns and improve early warning systems, is central to mitigating the effects of climate change.
The integration of ICT with meteorological services is seen as vital in enhancing the region’s resilience to natural disasters and in enabling real-time communication during extreme weather events. This digital transformation offers a transformative opportunity to build a more resilient SADC region, equipped to tackle the socio-economic impacts of climate variability while safeguarding its future growth. By improving the accuracy of early warning systems, SADC countries can better prepare for disasters, reduce the risk of losses, and bolster food security and industrial value chains.
With a focus on the interconnectedness of these sectors, the meeting also addressed ongoing regional development projects, as outlined in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 and the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP). These blueprints serve as the foundation for achieving the region’s Vision 2050, with progress being made in sectors such as transport and ICT. SADC’s infrastructure agenda is now more than ever aligned with the need to foster a climate-resilient, industrialised economy that not only addresses current challenges but also anticipates future needs.
The meeting also provided a platform for officials to assess the collaborative efforts of key regional stakeholders, including SADC’s subsidiary organizations, which play an integral role in the implementation of infrastructure projects. Ms. N’tumba expressed her gratitude to developing partners, acknowledging their vital financial and technical support in ensuring the success of these initiatives.
As the meeting continues, there is an overarching sense of optimism that through enhanced cooperation, innovative solutions, and a unified commitment to infrastructure development, the SADC region will not only overcome its current challenges but also pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future. By focusing on the synergies between transport, ICT, and meteorology, SADC is positioning itself to unlock greater opportunities for sustained economic growth and industrialisation in the coming decades.
