The Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Nigeria has urged African nations to enhance collaborative efforts aimed at adding value to their abundant natural resources and increasing trade in domestically produced goods throughout the continent.
Additionally, it emphasised the importance of empowering youth and women, recognising them as essential drivers of sustainable development and industrialisation within the region.
The call was made in Abuja during the SADC Day celebration, held under the theme: “Advancing industrialisation, agricultural transformation and energy transition for a resilient SADC.”
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) consists of 16 member states, of which eight are represented in Nigeria. These member states include Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of SADC and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Maxwell Ranga, explained that the community aims to establish a free trade area and strengthen regional food security.
“SADC has also been working towards establishing a free trade area, promoting infrastructure development, and addressing issues like food security and environmental sustainability. SADC is now working on modalities for the free movement of people in the region,” Ranga said.
Ambassador Ranga commended Nigeria’s role in strengthening political, security, and socio-economic cooperation across the bloc, while highlighting the country’s indispensable role in Southern Africa’s liberation struggles.
“We will never forget Nigeria’s pivotal role in supporting liberation in Southern Africa, particularly its strong support for the Frontline States,” Ranga stated.
He recalled Nigeria’s diplomatic, military, financial, and humanitarian contributions to liberation movements such as South Africa’s ANC, Namibia’s SWAPO, and Zimbabwe’s ZANU.
“Through these efforts, Nigeria emerged as a major pan-African force and a committed ally in the dismantling of apartheid and colonial rule in Southern Africa. These efforts cemented Nigeria’s role as a Pan-African force and ally in ending apartheid and colonialism. SADC will always be grateful to Nigeria and its people for sacrificing themselves to liberate their brothers and sisters. This legacy continues to shape Nigeria’s foreign policy and its relationship with SADC, as an advocate for African freedom and self-determination,” he stressed.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pascaline Yakivu, noted that the annual celebration in Nigeria highlights investment opportunities, culture, and tourism within the SADC region.
“To build friendship and business ties with Nigeria and other nations, I invite you to explore the wonders of SADC countries,” she said.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Nonyelum Aforkelu, commended SADC for its enduring spirit of integration and unity.
“On this special Day, we reflect on the progress already achieved by SADC in promoting peace, socio-economic development and democratic governance across Southern African countries. Nigeria, as a proud member of the African Union and a steadfast partner in Pan-African cooperation, recognises and applauds the vital role SADC countries play in advancing our shared continental aspirations-guided by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The achievements of SADC in areas such as trade, infrastructure, education and peacekeeping are testaments to what Africa can achieve through unity of purpose and strength in diversity,” Tuggar.
He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening continental integration.
“In a symbolic of Africa’s integration drive, we reaffirm our shared responsibility to deepen collaboration between SADC, West Africa, and the wider continent,” Tuggar added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, urged SADC to prioritise media partnerships in fighting misinformation and promoting positive narratives.
“We broadcast in eight languages daily, including Swahili, which is part of the spoken language in SADC, and we are willing to expand that. I urge all the members of SADC to link media organisations in their country with media organisations in Nigeria, particularly Voice of Nigeria.
“We remain very committed to amplifying a positive narrative about Nigeria. Whatever we do here and when we leave here, if we don’t prioritise telling our own story in a more intentional, very forceful and deliberate manner, there will still be more to desire.
“So, as we leave this place today, I want to urge all SADEG members that Voice of Nigeria is your platform. Our founding father established it not just for Nigeria. It’s established as a pan-African platform, and we intend to deepen that relationship with the SADEG members,” he added.
The annual event marks the anniversary of the Southern African Development Community and showcases the region’s achievements in integration, cooperation, and socio-economic growth.