Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has joined fellow heads of state in Harare, Zimbabwe, for a summit at the New Parliament Building. The summit, held under the theme “Promoting Innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an Industrialised SADC,” aims to develop a comprehensive industrial strategy for Southern Africa while tackling key regional issues such as trade, peace, security, and economic growth.
As the policy-making body of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), the summit plays a crucial role in setting the overall direction and control of the regional bloc’s activities. The Ordinary SADC Summit, an annual event, brings together Heads of State and Government from member nations, alongside leaders from continental and regional organizations who attend as observers.
Upon his arrival at Robert Mugabe International Airport on August 15, President Chakwera voiced his confidence in SADC’s potential to advance regional development. He highlighted the importance of the youth demographic in driving growth across both the region and the continent.
“The youth demographic is a key pillar not just for the growth of the region but for the continent as a whole. They are at the heart of this progress, and I look forward to discussions on how we can best empower the younger generation to lead us towards a prosperous Africa,” President Chakwera stated.
The summit’s theme aligns with Malawi’s Vision 2063, which focuses on Agricultural Productivity and Commercialization, Industrialization, and Innovation. There is strong anticipation that the summit will yield a detailed strategy to unlock Southern Africa’s economic potential and foster sustainable development across the region.
