Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have been urged to accelerate regional infrastructure development and strengthen cross-border cooperation to unlock economic growth, boost trade and deepen regional integration.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Simon Masanga, while chairing sessions on transport and meteorology during the ongoing SADC Cluster Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Transport, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Information and Meteorology, in Bulawayo yesterday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Masanga said the gathering provided an important platform for member states to assess progress, share experiences and develop coordinated strategies to address common challenges affecting the region.
“The SADC region can only realise its full economic potential through stronger cooperation among member states and sustained investment in critical infrastructure. Transport networks, meteorological services, ICT systems and information-sharing platforms are all essential pillars of regional integration,” he said.
Masanga noted that efficient transport systems are critical in facilitating trade, improving connectivity and reducing the cost of doing business across the region.
“Transport infrastructure is the backbone of economic development. Improved roads, railways, ports and border management systems enable the smooth movement of goods and people, strengthen regional value chains and enhance the competitiveness of our economies,” he said.
He said member states were increasingly recognising the importance of coordinated infrastructure planning to ensure that investments deliver maximum benefits across borders.
“We need to continue working together to develop integrated transport corridors and modern infrastructure that supports industrialisation, trade and economic transformation throughout the region,” said Masanga.
On meteorology, he underscored the growing importance of weather and climate information in supporting economic activities and strengthening resilience to climate-related shocks.
“Reliable meteorological services are no longer a luxury. They are essential for agriculture, disaster risk reduction, aviation, water resource management and many other sectors that are critical to our economies and livelihoods,” he said.
Masanga added that stronger regional collaboration in meteorology would improve the sharing of data, early warning systems and forecasting capabilities.
“Climate change continues to present significant challenges to our region. By working together, we can strengthen our forecasting systems, improve preparedness and protect lives, infrastructure and economic assets from the impacts of extreme weather events,” he said.
The SADC Cluster Meeting brings together senior officials from across the region to review progress in transport, ICT, information and meteorology sectors and to formulate recommendations that will be submitted to ministers for consideration.
SADC regards transport, ICT, information and meteorology as key enablers of regional integration, trade facilitation and sustainable economic development. The sectors play a central role in supporting the bloc’s vision of a connected, industrialised and prosperous Southern African region.
