MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to prioritise regional programmes and projects that make efficient use of limited resources and accelerate the achievement of the bloc’s development goals.
The appeal was made by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Said Shaib Mussa, who led Tanzania’s delegation to the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials meeting in Durban, South Africa, from August 6 to 7.
The meeting was held as part of preparations for the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for August 17 in Durban.
Senior officials discussed strategic matters aimed at strengthening regional integration and advancing socio-economic development across SADC.
Key issues included the bloc’s financial position and member states’ contributions, the annual regional development report, food and nutrition security, gender matters and the effects of the changing global political landscape on member states.
The committee also reviewed preparations for a special publication honouring the late Brigadier General Hashim Mbita.
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Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Mussa urged member states to prioritize high-impact projects that can deliver tangible results within a short period and support future regional initiatives, particularly infrastructure development.
He warned that distributing limited financial and technical resources across too many projects could reduce efficiency and weaken development outcomes.
Ambassador Mussa also called for faster industrialization, reduced dependence on imports from outside the region and stronger regional value chains.
He said the measures would boost intra-SADC trade, strengthen economic resilience and promote sustainable growth across member states.
