SADC leaders are set to review progress in the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, RISDP 2020-2030, during the 45th upcoming ordinary summit of Heads of State and Government.

The summit will take place in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on 17th August under the incoming Chairperson, President Andry Rajoelina.

During the summit, Malagasy President Rajoelina will take over the rotating chairmanship of the regional organisation from Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is scheduled to deliver her maiden speech at the summit, which aims to discuss ways to accelerate regional integration through key pillars.

These are: strengthening industrial capacity and regional value chains; modernising agriculture; and promoting an inclusive energy transition.

The SADC Secretariat says the key pillars are all aimed at building a resilient and sustainable SADC regional economy.

SADC leaders are also to consider the report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and review achievements in the region.

The summit of the SADC Organ Troika and a series of other crucial meetings will commence this week, ahead of the summit of Heads of State and Government.

Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has been confirmed to lead the country's delegation to the ministerial committee meeting of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, which will precede the Organ Summit.

Ashipala-Musavyi will participate in the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in preparation for the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, as well as a series of preparatory meetings preceding the main Summit. 

Three SADC member states, Malawi, Seychelles and Tanzania, are expected to hold their general elections in September and October 2025, respectively.