Luanda, Angola – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, with support from the Cooperation for the Enhancement of SADC Regional Economic Integration (CESARE) programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU) through GIZ have successfully hosted a Trade Negotiating Forum (TNF) to finalise Angola’s accession to the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA). The forum took place from 17 to 21 February 2025, following a previous session in October 2024, both held in Luanda.
Angola will become the 14th SADC Member State to join the regional market, marking a historic step in consolidating the SADC Free Trade Area, the most significant milestone in the past decade. This accession unlocks immense economic opportunities, as Angola will benefit from reduced tariffs and the elimination of non-tariff barriers, promoting smoother trade within the region. In turn, other SADC Member States will gain improved market access for their goods and services in Angola, driving economic growth and fostering regional prosperity.
Opening the Forum, Mr. Dhunraj Kassee, Director of the Industrial Development and Trade Directorate (IDT) at the SADC Secretariat, welcomed delegates and emphasised the strategic significance of Angola’s accession. He highlighted how the SADC FTA serves as a catalyst for economic growth, enhances consumer choices, attracts investment, and generates employment opportunitties aligned with the SADC Treaty’s core objectives of poverty alleviation and improved living standards across the region. He expressed confidence that this milestone will be formally endorsed at the upcoming TNF and Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT) meetings in May and June 2025, leading to full ratification and implementation.
In his remarks, Mr. Blessing Rwaveya, representing Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on behalf of the SADC Chairperson, applauded Angola’s commitment and commended the SADC Secretariat for facilitating the negotiations. He acknowledged the Angolan government’s hospitality and the progress achieved, stating that this second dedicated TNF forum has been instrumental in finalising Angola’s tariff offer, a crucial step towards full regional economic integration.
Representing the host country, Mr. Anatoly Domingos, Director for Integration and Economic Development at Angola’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of the SADC Secretariat and fellow member states. He emphasised that Angola has been a key economic player within the SADC region and that formal accession to the Protocol on Trade will further enhance trade relations, boost economic cooperation, and position Angola as a vital hub for regional commerce.
After extensive deliberations, Angola successfully accommodated requests from its fellow SADC Member States, securing unanimous agreement to join the SADC FTA. This milestone is not only a victory for Angola but also a significant achievement for the region, reinforcing SADC’s commitment to deepening economic integration, fostering intra-regional trade, and enhancing economic resilience.
With Angola’s inclusion, the SADC Free Trade Area takes a bold step forward, unlocking new avenues for industrial development, investment, and cross-border trade. This achievement underscores the region’s collective vision for a more interconnected, economically vibrant Southern Africa.
As Angola formally integrates into the SADC Free Trade Area, businesses, investors, and consumers across the region stand to benefit from greater economic opportunities, reduced trade barriers, and a more competitive regional market. The upcoming TNF and CMT meetings in mid-2025 will finalize the legal and procedural steps, ensuring a smooth and efficient implementation of this landmark agreement.
For the SADC region, this marks a new era of enhanced economic cooperation, reinforcing its position as a thriving trade and investment destination on the African continent.
