Staff Writer
President Duma Boko has joined fellow leaders of the Southern African Customs Union(SACU) in Cape Town on Friday for the 9th Summit, where Heads of State and Government are charting the future of regional economic integration, trade expansion and industrial development.
Hosted by South Africa, the summit has brought together leaders from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa to deliberate on key priorities aimed at strengthening the region’s economic competitiveness.
President Boko is attending alongside Cyril Ramaphosa, Mswati III, Sam Matekane and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Discussions at the summit are focused on customs modernisation, investment promotion, the development of regional value chains and accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Leaders are also reviewing progress made under the SACU Strategic Plan (2022–2027) and examining the effects of global economic uncertainties on member states.
The summit comes as the region seeks to build more resilient economies through deeper cooperation, increased intra-African trade, and greater industrialisation. Member states are expected to explore measures that enhance trade facilitation, attract investment, and improve the movement of goods across borders.
As one of the founding members of SACU, Botswana has consistently championed stronger regional integration, arguing that closer economic cooperation is essential for sustainable growth, job creation, and economic diversification.
Established in 1910, SACU remains the world’s oldest functioning customs union and continues to serve as a key platform for promoting free trade and economic collaboration among its five member states.
The Heads of State Summit follows several days of technical and ministerial meetings that laid the groundwork for high-level political decisions. The gathering is expected to conclude with a communiqué outlining the commitments and policy directions agreed upon by member states as they seek to strengthen regional economic integration and position Southern Africa for long-term growth.
