Staff Reporter
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene its Committee of Ministers of Finance and Investment and the Peer Review Panel in Victoria Falls from 12 to 13 June, where high-level delegates are expected to deliberate on crucial issues aimed at enhancing regional economic integration, financial market development and macroeconomic stability.
In a statement released by the SADC Secretariat, the upcoming summit will bring together Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors and senior officials from across the region to assess progress on ongoing initiatives and to adopt resolutions that will shape the economic trajectory of the bloc.
“The primary objective of these meetings is to consider progress updates on ongoing initiatives that support the development and integration of financial markets across the region,” the Secretariat said.
Top of the agenda is the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund, a long-awaited facility expected to accelerate the financing of key infrastructure projects within member states. Ministers are also set to discuss sustainable project preparation and development models, as well as anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) frameworks.
“The Ministers of Finance and Investment will decide on crucial issues to advance financial markets integration and investments across the region,” the Secretariat added.
The meetings will also review the macroeconomic performance of Member States in line with the Macroeconomic Convergence (MEC) targets. These targets are essential to achieving long-term regional economic stability and the harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies.
As part of the Peer Review Panel’s work, economic assessment reports for the Republic of Angola, Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be tabled. The panel will also review implementation of previous resolutions and consider the impact of global geopolitical developments on the SADC region.
In preparation for the ministerial sessions, SADC Senior Treasury Officials will meet on 9 June, followed by a joint meeting with Central Bank Officials on 10 June.
The Victoria Falls meetings come at a critical time as SADC Member States continue to strengthen cooperation and align national strategies with the regional integration agenda. The outcomes of the summit are expected to reinforce the bloc’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, financial stability and deeper market integration.
