SADC Summit Approves Tourism UniVisa and Backs Deeper Regional Integration
The 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held on 17 August 2026 in Durban under the chairship of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, approved the Agreement Establishing the SADC Tourism UniVisa - a landmark step towards facilitating seamless travel across the region. The Summit called on member states to sign the agreement, recognising its potential to enhance tourism growth, promote regional integration and boost economic development through increased visitor arrivals and investment. South Africa was elected as SADC Chairperson, with Zambia named as incoming chair and the next summit host.
The Summit endorsed the theme "Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World," identifying infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals as key drivers of regional competitiveness. Leaders also urged member states to remove non-tariff barriers to agricultural trade, improve cross-border logistics and accelerate the ratification of regional instruments - including the SADC Regional Development Fund agreement. On the political front, the Summit reaffirmed solidarity with the DRC, commended Mozambique's national dialogue process and congratulated Zimbabwe on its election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2027 - 2028 term. The 47th SADC Summit will be held in Zambia.
