Madagascar Assumes Chairmanship Of SADC Council Of Ministers

Madagascar has taken over as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers.

The Council is meeting from 12–14 August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, to discuss programmes and policies to boost regional integration, peace, security, and economic growth.

The meeting is a lead-up to the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on 17 August, where final decisions will be made.

This year’s theme is: “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.”

Zimbabwe’s Minister of International Relations and Trade, Amon Murwira, handed over the chairmanship to Madagascar’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rafaravavitafika Rasata during a ceremony on Tuesday.

Over the three days, ministers are reviewing progress on the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020–2030), considering reports, and making decisions on industrialisation, infrastructure, food security, energy, and peace in the region.

Murwira stressed the need for stronger regional integration and faster implementation of SADC agreements. He said:

“A key impediment to advancing our regional integration agenda is our slow uptake of SADC Protocols and Agreements.

“This delay is not just a procedural concern; it strikes at the very heart of our shared vision for a united, prosperous, and resilient region.

“Without timely ratification, our ability to establish a robust, rules-based framework is significantly hampered.”

Murwira praised Rafaravavitafika Rasata for taking on the important leadership role, promised Zimbabwe’s full support, and encouraged other Member States to do the same.

In her speech, Rasata thanked all SADC Member States for trusting Madagascar and said the country is ready to lead the Council during its term. She said:

“SADC is an essential pillar of regional cooperation and solidarity, on which we can rely to jointly address our challenges and seize the opportunities before us.”

She promised to focus on including and supporting island states in the regional agenda, saying that Madagascar, as an island nation, understands their special challenges. Said Rasata:

“By uniting the maritime, economic, environmental, and cultural potential of the islands with the resources, agricultural strength, and industrial capacity of our continental states, we can build the self-reliant and competitive SADC we aspire to.”

During the three-day meeting, the Council of Ministers will review progress on the SADC Regional Development Plan (2020–2030), look at reports from SADC institutions, and make important decisions on industrialisation, infrastructure, food security, energy, and peace.

The results of this meeting will guide the 45th SADC Summit, where leaders will plan how to build a stronger, more united, and prosperous Southern Africa.