12 June 2025, Gaborone, Botswana: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers of Finance and Investment met from 12–13 June 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to review progress on regional economic initiatives. They commended strides in implementing Stage 1 of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF), supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is aiding member states in mobilising resources for infrastructure and economic integration.
Ministers endorsed the revised 2024–2029 Strategic Plan of the SADC Development Finance Resource Centre, focusing on capacity building, policy advocacy, and financial sustainability. They also reviewed the SADC Project Preparation and Development Facility, reaffirming support and calling for governance reforms. The SADC PPDF projects hold significant promise for generating business opportunities throughout the infrastructure value chain—not only in advisory services, but also in areas such as financing, construction, equipment provision, technology and expertise, as well as in operations and maintenance. The SADC PPDF is one of the instruments used for the realisation of the regional development goals.
To align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ministers urged legal harmonisation of investment laws and reviewed regional investment instruments. They also discussed cross-border motor vehicle insurance harmonisation and adopted amendments to the SADC Finance and Investment Protocol to address terrorism and proliferation financing, aligning with global FATF standards.