Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam recently participated in the 46th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that took place in Durban, South Africa.
The cabinet took note that participation in the SADC Summit has helped cement the firm commitment of Mauritius to regional integration and cooperation among member countries with a view to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
The PM stressed a particularly complex global situation, marked by a slew of uncertainties and several pressing challenges, and in this particular context, he called upon SADC members to strengthen cooperation to bolster greater regional resilience.
PM Ramgoolam emphasised that, in the broader context of geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and climate change, industrialisation remains inimical to the region’s future, in particular through green and smart industrialisation that must serve as a genuine catalyst, ushering in sustainable growth.
The Head of Government also stressed the fact that the future of SADC hinges on the consolidation of regional value chains, with a need to give impetus to regional connectivity, in particular the digital sphere.
In this context, he advocated the setting up of the Digital Embassy Village, a project adhering to the strategy of Mauritius to help reinforce its position as a regional digital and technology hub.
He also discussed underlying opportunities posed by the Blue Economy to SADC Countries, pertaining to growth, innovation, investment and job creation. He referred to the Global Blue Belt Initiative and urged upon SADC nations to support such an initiative and collaborate to help promote the sustainability of ocean resources.
The PM also referred to the difficult economic situation that arose, which was ‘attributed’ to the previous regime, where the new Government in place took the necessary steps, upon immediately taking office, disbursed a sum of USD8.26 million by January 31, 2025, to honour the country’s obligations to SADC.
The payment, he says, ensured that the jurisdiction was able to regularise its status and participate in the SADC Summit held in Madagascar in 2025, thereby marking the country’s return to full and active participation within the regional organisation. The PM further emphasised that following his appeal made to the 45th SADC Summit, a re-computation exercise took place on the remaining USD7,663,993, of which USD596,587 was credited to the country, which was used to part finance the annual membership contribution for financial year 2026/27.
In the context of ‘unsustainable pressures on the national budget’, the PM underscored that Mauritius has notified its withdrawal from the SADC Mutual Defence Pact in March 2025. However, taking into account deliberations and observations at the Organ Troika Summit on the matter, the Prime Minister indicated that the country would engage further with the SADC Secretariat and the Chair on the way forward.
