Namibia is aligning its national priorities, especially in mineral beneficiation, with SADC's industrialisation goals.

This was announced by the Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during an interview with NBC News at the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit in Durban, South Africa.

Ashipala-Musavyi formed part of the Council of Ministerial Meeting, which paved the way for the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled to take place on the 17th August at Durban International Convention Centre.

The meeting outlined the preparatory agenda for the summit, focusing on regional integration, economic development and peace and security. 

The discussion noted an African Union decision that at least 20 percent of exports from the continent should be value-added. 

"Namibia has seven national priorities, and value addition and beneficiation of mineral resources is a strong point among those national priorities. So we were hammering on that point that we really need first to add value to our resources, but it is important that we create regional value chains. If we want to bring about development in the region and to make sure that everybody is included, we do recognise that we are at different levels of development, but we believe that every SADC country can play a part."

Regional integration also formed part of the discussions in order to drive sustained economic growth across the region. 

Members discussed increasing agricultural productivity to ensure food security and combat poverty, as well as water strategies, and Namibia is expected to host the Global Water Partnership headquarters discussions surrounding how to maximise the opportunity. 

"How do we increase agricultural productivity to ensure, among others, food security in the region? We are aware that many of our countries are grappling with environmental challenges. But we still recognise that it is important that we feed ourselves so that we do away with our poverty. We increase agro-processing. SADC countries are well in doubt with mineral resources. So the beneficiation of our mineral resources was one of the issues that we also discussed, including water."

Peace and security in the region also topped the agenda, noting that the region cannot move forward if some member states are experiencing instability. 

"To ensure that peace and stability return to DRC. And then the situation in Madagascar, because, as you know, the panel of the elders produced their report, and they informed SADC of the progress that is being made to bring the people of Madagascar together, to make sure that peace and security is brought back to Madagascar and that the process is inclusive."