On February 7 and 8, 2025, the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) will meet in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The summit will mark a turning point in regional cooperation. This summit, held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Integration for Sustainable Development,” aims to address crucial issues such as security, trade, infrastructure, and climate change.

Capmad examines the stakes of this summit, key figures illustrating the current situation in these two regions, and prospects for regional integration in Africa.

Context of the SADC and EAC Communities

SADC, founded in 1992, comprises 16 Southern African countries, while the EAC, created in 1967 and relaunched in 2000, includes six East African countries. Together, these two organizations represent a combined population of over 300 million inhabitants and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about 600 billion USD. SADC and EAC aim to promote economic development, peace and security, and regional integration.

Key Figures

• Population and Economy : SADC has about 360 million inhabitants, while EAC has about 180 million. Together, these two regions represent nearly 50% of Africa’s total population. In 2023, SADC’s GDP was estimated at 600 billion USD, while EAC’s GDP was about 200 billion USD.
• Intra-Regional Trade : Intra-regional trade in SADC reaches about 25 % of total trade in 2023, while in EAC, it is about 15 %. These figures show significant potential for improvement to strengthen trade exchanges between member countries.
• Infrastructure : According to the African Development Bank (ADB), the infrastructure needs of SADC and EAC are estimated at 100 billion USD annually. The lack of adequate infrastructure hinders trade and economic development in these regions.
• Security : The Great Lakes region, which includes member countries of SADC and EAC, faces major security challenges. In 2024, more than 5 million people were displaced due to armed conflicts in this region, highlighting the importance of enhanced security cooperation.

Summit Objectives

The joint SADC-EAC summit in February 2025 has several key objectives.

• Strengthen Economic Cooperation : Leaders will discuss creating a free trade area between SADC and EAC, aiming to increase intra-regional trade and reduce tariff barriers. The goal is to achieve intra-regional trade of 30 % by 2030.
• Improve Regional Security : Participants will address security issues, including combating terrorism, organized crime, and armed conflicts. An action plan will be proposed to strengthen security cooperation among member states.
• Sustainable Development and Climate Change : The summit will also focus on challenges related to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts, with economic losses estimated at 50 billion USD per year by 2030 if no action is taken.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity : Leaders will discuss regional infrastructure projects, including the development of roads, railways, and ports. The SADC transport corridor project, aiming to improve connectivity between member countries, will be a central point of discussion.

Reactions, Expectations, and Prospects

Preparations for the summit have generated positive reactions from leaders and economic actors. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan stated: « This summit is a unique opportunity to strengthen our unity and work together for a better future for our people ».

However, challenges remain. Implementing the agreements and initiatives discussed during the summit will depend on the political will of leaders and the ability to mobilize resources. According to Dr. Amani Kihanga, a political analyst based in Nairobi, « The key to success lies in the ability of member states to overcome their differences and work together for the common good ».

Kagame – Tshisekedi : Dialogue and Finding Solutions to the Crisis

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, are announced to attend this summit. This upcoming meeting represents a real opportunity for direct dialogue between the two leaders to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict disrupting regional stability.

According to William Ruto, the host President of this summit, Presidents Suluhu Samia (Tanzania), Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Kaguta Museveni (Uganda), and HassanS Mohamud (Somalia) have all confirmed their participation in the Extraordinary Summit in Dar es Salaam.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite potential advances, several challenges must be addressed.

• Political Differences : Political divergences among some member countries can hinder cooperation. The need for open and constructive dialogue is essential to overcome these obstacles.
• Project Financing : The financing of infrastructure and development projects remains a major challenge. Member countries will need to explore public-private partnerships and mobilize international funding to support their initiatives.
• Natural Resource Management : Sustainable management of natural resources is crucial for economic development. Countries must collaborate to ensure resource exploitation benefits everyone and does not lead to conflicts.

The joint SADC-EAC summit on February 7 and 8, 2025, represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen regional integration in East and Southern Africa. With a combined population of over 540 million inhabitants and considerable economic potential, cooperation between these two regions is essential to address common challenges.

Discussions on trade, security, sustainable development, and infrastructure are important steps toward a more stable and prosperous future. As leaders prepare to meet, the hope is that this summit will mark the beginning of a new era of collaboration and progress for the people of SADC and EAC.