The 44th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government is set to take place on August 17, 2024, in Harare, Zimbabwe. This year’s summit will convene under the theme: “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC.“

The annual SADC Summit is a crucial policy-making gathering attended by leaders from the 16 member states, including Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia, among others. The summit directs the community’s policy and functions, with additional participation from heads of continental and regional bodies as observers.

Preparations for the summit include a series of preceding meetings, such as the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week and the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting. Zimbabwe, having assumed the SADC Chairship from Angola on August 8, 2024, is leading the summit’s organization. Ambassador Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, pledged the nation’s commitment to furthering the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.

The summit’s theme reflects a regional focus on innovation as a driver for economic growth and industrialization. The outgoing chairperson, Ambassador Dr. Nazaré José Salvador, highlighted the achievements of the past year and emphasized the need for continued regional collaboration, particularly in youth empowerment and addressing humanitarian challenges.

The SADC Summit in Harare is expected to set the tone for the region’s economic and industrial future, with a strong emphasis on cooperation and innovation to address the challenges facing the SADC community.