MWE Correspondent
Finance and budget experts from across Southern Africa have gathered in Pretoria, South Africa to discuss new strategies for strengthening the financial capacity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The high-level meeting, held on March 9, 2026, is focusing on ways to expand the regional bloc’s budget and ensure sustainable funding for development programmes across member states.
The meeting brings together senior financial specialists, treasury officials and policy advisers from the 16 countries that make up SADC. Their discussions are centered on the financial health of the regional organization, which plays a key role in promoting economic cooperation, regional integration and development across Southern Africa.
Among the delegates attending the session is a team of financial experts from Tanzania led by Rishade Bade, Commissioner for External Finance in the Ministry of Finance. The Tanzanian delegation is participating in technical discussions aimed at reviewing the bloc’s financial performance and shaping the direction of future regional investments.
One of the central issues under review is the status of financial contributions from member states. Like many regional organizations, SADC relies heavily on contributions from its members to finance operations, policy initiatives and cross-border development programmes. Officials say strengthening compliance with these contributions is essential to ensure that the bloc remains capable of implementing its ambitious development agenda.
Participants are also examining the implementation of the SADC budget for the 2025–2026 financial year. The review covers a nine-month period from April 2025 to December 2025 and provides a snapshot of how resources have been allocated and utilized in priority sectors, including infrastructure, regional trade and institutional development.
Beyond evaluating past spending, the meeting is also looking ahead. Delegates are discussing proposals for the 2026–2027 budget as well as medium-term financial projections for the period stretching from 2027 to 2031. These discussions are expected to help shape the long-term financial planning of the regional bloc as it seeks to expand investment in key economic sectors.
Also Read; Trump Warns Iran Over Future Supreme Leader Choice
A significant part of the meeting is devoted to identifying new sources of funding for regional development projects. Experts are exploring innovative approaches to mobilizing resources that can support infrastructure expansion, economic integration and industrial development across Southern Africa.
One of the major initiatives under discussion is the establishment of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF). The proposed fund is designed to provide sustainable financing for large-scale development projects within the region, particularly those that require cooperation between multiple member states.
So far, 11 of the 16 SADC countries, including Tanzania, have signed the agreement establishing the fund. Once fully operational, the RDF is expected to play a critical role in financing projects that support economic growth, trade connectivity and regional infrastructure.
Regional analysts say the fund could become one of the most important financial tools for advancing development in Southern Africa, particularly as governments seek alternatives to traditional external financing.
The finance committee meeting in Pretoria is part of a broader series of preparatory sessions leading up to the 47th Meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place on March 12 and 13, 2026. Outcomes from the technical discussions will be presented to ministers for further consideration and policy direction.
Officials say the gathering reflects a growing recognition among SADC members that stronger financial coordination is essential for advancing regional integration and sustaining long-term economic development across Southern Africa.
