Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Secretary of State to the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of African Affairs, reiterated on Sunday Algeria’s commitment to supporting the efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aimed at strengthening regional integration and driving economic transformation in Africa.
Speaking at the headquarters of Madagascar’s Embassy in Algiers, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Community’s founding, Mansouri highlighted that “SADC has today become a model of regional integration thanks to ambitious cross-border projects in infrastructure, energy, transport, and industrialization.” She added that these initiatives “strengthen regional value chains and bolster Africa’s position in global markets, thereby enhancing sustainable growth and economic resilience.”
Mansouri further stressed that the focus on competitiveness, diversity, and innovation comes at a crucial time, as Africa seeks to reposition itself within a rapidly evolving global economy, noting that the African Union’s Agenda 2063 “remains our shared reference point” as the strategic vision for a united, prosperous, and peaceful continent.
She also recalled that Algeria will host the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) from September 4 to 10, describing it as “an exceptional event that will serve as an unprecedented platform for African businesses, innovators, youth, and women entrepreneurs to explore opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress toward a truly unified African market.”
The diplomat praised Zimbabwe’s presidency of SADC in Algiers last year, marked by “a clear vision, commitment, and dedication,” while reaffirming Algeria’s support for SADC’s mission to advance regional integration and economic transformation.
In a message read on behalf of SADC by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Algeria, Vusumuzi Ntonga, the diplomat underlined that the 45th anniversary celebration was held under the theme “Promoting Industrialization, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC” — a slogan reflecting the Community’s determination to make Southern Africa a competitive and integrated economic power through industrialization, technological innovation, human capital development, and sustainable agricultural transformation.
For her part, Jeannie Rafalimanana, Chargée d’Affaires at Madagascar’s Embassy in Algiers, whose country currently chairs SADC, emphasized “the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility within the Community in promoting industrialization and energy transition to build a resilient development bloc and establish Southern Africa as a competitive and integrated economic power.”
The celebration ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria. (APS)
