The 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, with a combined population of nearly 400-million people, have abundant natural resources, a youthful population and the means to produce everything that its people need, says South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

SADC needs to create a dynamic common market in which countries trade. No country in the region can build an integrated power system, develop cross-border corridors, manage shared water resources or withstand the full force of climate change on its own.

“We need to remove the costs that we have imposed on ourselves, from reducing the price of phone calls and money transfers to reducing waiting times at our borders and harmonising customs procedures. However, this must not be limited to only increasing trade with each other.

“We must produce goods and services together. We must assemble cars in one SADC country from parts manufactured in another, using materials produced in a third,” he states in a weekly letter to the nation.

Southern Africa has abundant energy resources, minerals and land, skills, technology, industrial capabilities and strong financial institutions.

However, the region imports much of the goods and services it needs. Trade among SADC countries accounts for only about 20% of their combined total trade.

“Our region holds much of the world’s critical minerals, yet we export the ore and import the battery. We are supplying an industrial revolution taking place elsewhere and buying back its products at a price set by others,” he says.

SADC countries must link their economies through corridors of goods, services and industry. The Maputo, North-South, Trans-Kalahari, Beira and Lobito corridors are being developed, but the region needs to do more so that they become living arteries of commerce, carrying freight, electricity, data and people, Ramaphosa says.

Further, the region has the Southern African Power Pool, which means that electricity generated in one country powers businesses and lights homes in another. The task now is to widen that pool to ensure all parts of Southern Africa have a reliable supply of affordable energy, he adds.

SADC must similarly develop its shared water resources so that every country has the water it needs to supply its industries and its people in a sustainable manner.

Meanwhile, SADC needs to invest in infrastructure and industry. However, the region’s most precious asset is its people. More than half of SADC’s population is under the age of 30.

To realise this demographic dividend, SADC must ensure every young person is given the best foundation for success in life.

“As a region, we should work together to ensure every child has sufficient food and water, that they have quality healthcare and can access early childhood development. To realise their potential, we need to invest in our schools, universities, technical and vocational colleges and research institutions.”

These are some of the actions that this SADC Summit will consider as South Africa works to achieve SADC’s Vision 2050 for an integrated, productive and prosperous region.

South Africa hosted the forty-sixth Summit of SADC, in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, on August 17, starting the country’s turn as chair of SADC.

South Africa’s focus is on the practical steps needed to further integrate the economies of SADC and build a dynamic regional market, which is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing turbulence in the global economy.

South Africa's membership of SADC is about the creation of jobs and improving the quality of life of South Africans, growth of its industries, the development of its infrastructure and the health and well-being of its people.

“South Africa's prosperity is bound to that of our neighbours. All of us must now turn the enormous potential that our region has into growth, development and jobs,” says Ramaphosa.