Mbabane – Officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and the European Union (EU) Delegation to Botswana and SADC held their second quarterly meeting for the 2025/26 financial year to review progress and deepen cooperation on regional development.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Angele Makombo Ntumba, Deputy Executive Secretary of SADC responsible for Regional Integration, and Mr. Catalin Gherman, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation. Participants assessed programmes under the SADC-EU partnership, which focus on regional integration, peace and security, economic competitiveness, and sustainable development in line with SADC’s Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020–2030.
Officials also discussed preparations for the 2025 SADC International Cooperating Partners Dialogue Platform Meeting, set for 11 November, which brings together development partners to coordinate support across the region.
The EU confirmed its ongoing financial backing, which is contributing to measurable impacts in member states. In September 2025, the EU pledged an additional €12 million to Phase 2 of the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme, bringing SADC’s total allocation under the Multiannual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa to €175.9 million. The funding is supporting improved regional connectivity, reduced trade barriers, and upgraded transport infrastructure.
Further support is expected under the 2025 Annual Action Plan, with a focus on transboundary water management. A project formulation mission in October will guide interventions to strengthen governance and resilience in shared river basins.
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