President Ramaphosa to Attend SADC 45th Summit and TICAD9 in Coming Days

President Ramaphosa to Attend SADC 45th Summit and TICAD9 in Coming Days

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government this weekend, followed by leading South Africa’s delegation to the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan next week, as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration and international partnerships.

Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa will represent South Africa at two major international gatherings in the coming days, starting with the historic 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government in Madagascar this weekend, and then leading a high-level delegation to the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan from August 20 to 22, 2025.

These engagements underscore South Africa’s commitment to advancing regional economic growth, sustainable development, and global cooperation, amid ongoing challenges like climate change, food security, and industrial transformation. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, briefing the media on Thursday, highlighted the summits’ focus on key priorities that align with South Africa’s national interests.

Historic SADC Summit in Madagascar
The 45th SADC Summit, taking place at the Ivato International Conference Centre in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on August 17, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the host nation, which joined the regional bloc in August 2005 after its suspension from 2009 to 2014 due to political instability.

This is Madagascar’s first time hosting the summit since regaining full membership, symbolising its reintegration and contribution to SADC’s goals. Under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation through Agro-Processing, Mineral Beneficiation and Regional Value Chains: As Drivers for Africa’s Socio-Economic Transformation,” the gathering will emphasise accelerating regional integration through strengthening industrial capacity, modernising agriculture, and promoting an inclusive energy transition to build a resilient, sustainable, and cohesive SADC region.

Vincent Magwenya noted that during the summit, President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar will assume the SADC Chairpersonship from Zimbabwe’s President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa. “The summit will review progress on the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, consider the report from the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and review achievements under the 44th Summit theme: ‘Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC’,” he said.

Key discussions will centre on enhancing intra-regional trade, which currently stands at around 20% of total trade among the 16 member states, and addressing barriers like infrastructure gaps and regulatory hurdles. The RISDP 2020-2030 aims to boost industrialisation, with a focus on value chains in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

For instance, SADC’s mineral-rich countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, will explore beneficiation strategies to add value to raw materials before export, reducing dependency on global markets and creating jobs.

South Africa, a founding member of SADC since 1994, plays a pivotal role in these efforts. During the summit, the country will formally accept its Chairpersonship for the 2026-2027 term, allowing it to steer the bloc’s agenda towards deeper economic integration and peace-building. Ramaphosa’s participation builds on South Africa’s contributions, such as hosting the previous summit in 2022 and supporting initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which complements SADC’s trade protocols.

The summit precedes a series of preparatory meetings, including the SADC Council of Ministers from August 12 to 14, 2025, where finance, trade, and security ministers reviewed progress on regional projects. Outcomes from these talks will inform the heads of state deliberations, with emphasis on sustainable energy transitions, given SADC’s vulnerability to climate change impacts like droughts and floods. Madagascar, as the incoming chair, has pledged to prioritise agro-processing, leveraging its vast agricultural potential in vanilla, rice, and fisheries to drive regional value chains.

TICAD9: Strengthening Ties with Japan

Following the SADC Summit, President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s delegation to TICAD9 in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20 to 22, 2025. Launched by Japan in 1993, TICAD has evolved into a leading platform for African development, co-hosted by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and African Union Commission. The ninth edition, themed “People, Planet, and Prosperity in a Changing World,” will gather over 20 African heads of state and government, senior leaders from the African Union, UN, World Bank, and African Development Bank, as well as representatives from philanthropic organisations, G7, G20, and BRICS nations.

Magwenya explained the forum’s progression: “Grounded in African ownership and international partnership, TICAD has steadily evolved from conflict prevention and human security (TICAD I–III) to economic transformation, innovation, and universal health coverage (UHC) (TICAD VI–VIII).” Discussions will focus on sustainable development in a post-pandemic world, addressing climate resilience, digital innovation, health systems, and green energy transitions. For Africa, facing challenges like debt burdens and food insecurity, TICAD9 offers opportunities to secure investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and technology.

A highlight for South Africa will be Ramaphosa’s address at the South Africa-Japan Business Engagement in Yokohama, aimed at boosting bilateral ties. “Bilateral trade between Japan and South Africa had been expanding since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992. Japan is one of the major investors in the South African economy and has a presence in South Africa of 273 companies, sustaining over 200 000 local jobs,” Magwenya said. Total bilateral trade reached R155.7 billion in 2023, with South Africa enjoying a surplus of R55.8 billion, driven by exports of minerals, vehicles, and agricultural products like fruits and wine. Japan imports platinum, iron ore, and coal from South Africa, while exporting machinery, vehicles, and electronics.

Recent developments have further strengthened relations. In March 2025, Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Japan to mark 115 years of bilateral ties, focusing on trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Japan has invested heavily in South Africa’s automotive sector, with companies like Toyota and Nissan creating thousands of jobs. Tourism has also grown, with over 13,000 Japanese visitors to South Africa in 2024, drawn to wildlife and cultural sites. At TICAD9, South Africa aims to attract more funding for renewable energy projects, aligning with Japan’s expertise in green technology and its commitment to Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Broader Context and South Africa’s Role

These summits come at a crucial time for South Africa, which is navigating economic recovery post-COVID-19 and addressing unemployment through regional and global partnerships. SADC, with a combined GDP of over $700 billion, represents a key market for South African goods, while TICAD provides access to Japanese innovation and capital. Ramaphosa’s engagements will also touch on security, with SADC reviewing missions in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and TICAD emphasising peace-building.

As chair of SADC in 2026-2027, South Africa plans to prioritise industrialisation and youth empowerment. Meanwhile, TICAD9’s outcomes could lead to new pledges under Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy, benefiting African infrastructure. Magwenya concluded that these platforms are vital for fostering inclusive growth, ensuring South Africa remains a bridge between Africa and the world. With preparations complete, Ramaphosa’s participation is expected to yield tangible benefits for the nation and continent.

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