ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR – The African Union has pledged support for the Southern African Development Community as it pursues industrialisation, agricultural transformation, energy security, and intra-regional trade. The announcement was made by AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the 45th Ordinary SADC Summit.
Youssouf said the AU is committed to helping SADC achieve its top four priorities, ensuring all member states, including Eswatini, benefit from regional development efforts.
He noted that industrialisation is not only an economic strategy but also a political and social necessity. The AU will support policies and resources that encourage value addition and technology adoption, aligning with Eswatini’s efforts to diversify beyond traditional exports such as sugar.
On agriculture, the AU will back investments in climate-smart methods and agro-processing to improve food security. For energy security, the AU will help mobilise climate finance and promote regional projects to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Regarding intra-regional trade, which currently stands at 20 percent compared to 60 percent in other regions, the AU supports SADC initiatives to remove trade barriers and implement one-stop border posts to improve the movement of goods, services, and people.
Youssouf said Africa is at a crossroads, but the resilience and cooperation demonstrated by SADC provide a model for the continent. He added that these priorities align with the AU’s Agenda 2063, aiming to create a prosperous, peaceful, and self-reliant Africa.
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