President Cyril Ramaphosa, a prominent political figure in Southern Africa, recently attended the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The summit brought together leaders and policymakers from SACU member states, aiming to promote collaboration and assess the progress of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022-2027.
Background of the Summit
The SACU Summit hosted in Eswatini on June 29th, 2023, was a result of an invitation extended by the current SACU Chair, His Majesty King Mswati III, and iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The event followed a Council of Ministers meeting on June 27th and 28th that assessed the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan.
Strategic Plan and Pillars
The SACU Strategic Plan 2022-2027, adopted at the 7th SACU Summit, has six crucial pillars: industrialization, export and investment promotion, trade facilitation and logistics, implementation and leveraging of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities, trade relations and unified engagement with third parties, finance, and resource mobilization, and effectiveness of SACU institutions.
Background of SACU
As the world’s oldest customs union established in 1910, SACU comprises five member states: Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. Since its reformation in 2002, SACU has become an international organization promoting regional economic integration and compliance with the World Trade Organization treaty.
Participants
The South African delegation, led by President Ramaphosa, included notable figures such as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Thoko Didiza, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, and South African Revenue Service Commissioner Edward Kieswetter.
Purpose and Discussions
The 8th SACU Summit served as a platform for leaders to engage in constructive dialogue. Participants shared insights and experiences related to the implementation of the Strategic Plan’s six pillars. These discussions contributed to the development of a unified vision for the future growth and prosperity of the Southern African region.
Trade Facilitation and Logistics
The summit highlighted the importance of enhancing trade facilitation and logistics to improve regional economic integration. This goal aligns with the broader objectives of the AfCFTA, which seeks to create a single, unified market for goods and services across the African continent. The cooperation between SACU and the AfCFTA presents significant opportunities for the member states to leverage their collective strengths and resources.
Unified Engagement with Third Parties
The leaders emphasized the need for unified engagement with third parties. By presenting a united front in international negotiations, SACU member states can amplify their influence and effectively advance their shared interests on the global stage.
SACU’s Commitment
The ongoing collaboration between the member states of SACU, exemplified by the successful hosting of the 8th Summit in Eswatini, demonstrates the organization’s commitment to fostering economic growth and regional integration. Through the continued pursuit of these objectives, SACU stands poised to make a lasting positive impact on the Southern African region and beyond.
