WATCH | SADC Day: Ramaphosa urges region to turn mineral wealth into jobs

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations to expedite the extraction of mineral wealth and enhance intra-regional trade, aiming to generate more job prospects for the region's burgeoning youth. In his SADC Day 2026 address, Ramaphosa highlighted that Southern Africa's destiny hinges on its capacity to exploit its assets, bolster regional supply chains, and foster economic development.

"The future of Southern Africa depends on our collective ability to accelerate beneficiation of our minerals, to support small and medium enterprises and to create opportunities for our growing, dynamic youth population," Ramaphosa stated. As South Africa assumes the chairmanship of the SADC for the upcoming year, the president emphasized the significance of regional cooperation in economic advancement, stating that trade remains a driving force for industrialization, employment generation, and economic empowerment.

He stressed the need to amplify intra-regional trade by fortifying value chains, diminishing non-tariff impediments, improving trade facilitation, and stimulating investments in key economic sectors. The theme of this year's summit, "Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Mineral Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World," underscores SADC's commitment to industrial growth, food security enhancement, value addition expansion, and infrastructure development.

Ramaphosa stressed that the region's growth must be driven by its own resources, populace, and vision, anchored in shared history and core values. He also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as a chance for SADC to establish itself as a competitive, unified, and industrialized economic powerhouse. Ramaphosa acknowledged SADC's enduring peace and stability, vital foundations for development and integration, and expressed gratitude to the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, peacekeepers, and regional entities for upholding these achievements.