South Africa takes the helm of 16-country community

• South Africa has taken over leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), aiming to deepen regional commerce amid economic growth concerns.
• The bloc faces challenges such as tepid economic growth, persistent trade barriers, and declining industrialization, with intra-regional trade growing only 20% in 2025.
• South Africa's yearlong chairmanship will focus on promoting industrialisation, regional value chains, and infrastructure, while the government seeks to mobilise capital for industrial projects and infrastructure through the SADC Regional Development Fund.