The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened a Cluster Meeting of Ministers responsible for Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 28th February 2025. The meeting aimed to review policy and regulatory frameworks and assess the implementation status of sector-specific programmes.
The Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development for the Republic of Zimbabwe and Co-Chairperson of the Cluster Meeting of Ministers for Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology, highlighted the pivotal contributions of the Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology sectors to socio-economic development. He stressed the necessity of regional integration and collaboration through collective initiatives and advocated for substantial investment in sustainable infrastructure development.
Hon. Mhona acknowledged the challenges faced by the transport sector, including the high costs of infrastructure investment and the adverse impact of climate challenges on the regional transport network, particularly roads, railways, and border infrastructure. He highlighted the necessity of integrating technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution into transport and meteorology, emphasising the transformative impact on citizens' daily lives and business operations.
Dr. Tatenda Anastacia Mavetera, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services for the Republic of Zimbabweand Co-Chairperson of the Cluster Meeting of Ministers responsible for Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology, called for regional collaboration in developing strategies and harmonising systems, policies, and regulations to achieve regional goals. She praised efforts made by SADC Member States in digital transformation, data sharing, and institutional framework development and urged continued work on model laws in the ICT sector to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, highlighted the progress achieved in the three sectors through various projects. Notable initiatives include the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Applications Programme (ClimSA) for Meteorology, which has improved access to climate information. She highlighted the benefits of the SADC Roaming Project, which has effectively reduced roaming charges among SADC Member States. She also noted the development of a shared satellite system for ICT as well as the harmonisation of road transport policies under the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme (TTTFP).
Ms. Makombo N’tumba made reference to the 2015 study highlighting that the North-South Corridor initiative, a component of road, rail, and sea port infrastructure, could generate USD 16.1 billion in additional GDP and create 574,000 jobs by 2035. She emphasised the critical importance of improving the transport, ICT, information, and meteorology sectors, as these are essential for advancing agriculture, mining, tourism, and trade, and for facilitating the movement of goods, people, and information.
The Ministers reviewed ICT infrastructure initiatives and broadband connectivity which is aimed to bolder socio-economic growth, support disaster management, and improve public and private sector service access. Ministers received reports on SADC ICT programmes and projects, including the Model National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP), Shared Satellite System, Regional Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), Harmonised Cybersecurity Framework, Internet Exchange Points, Roaming Project, and Radio Frequency Spectrum Allocation Plan.
The Ministers also assessed the Regional Meteorology Strategy and Action Plan in alignment with Continental and Global strategies, considering programmes for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in alignment with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s vision to enhance global weather, climate, and water services.
In the Transport sector, Ministers considered strategies to advance trade facilitation along major trade corridors, particularly the North-South Corridor which connects shipping ports to industrial hubs.
During the meeting, the Republic of Zimbabwe signed two Memoranda of Agreements (MoUs) for the Beira Development Corridor and the North-South Corridor, moving closer to ratification. These corridors are vital trade routes connecting countries through roads, railways, and pipelines, facilitating the movement of goods and supporting regional integration and economic development within the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
The meeting was attended by SADC regional cooperating and implementing agencies in the Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology sectors. The Ministers meeting was preceded by meetings of Senior Officials and the SADC High-Level Ministerial Round Table Dialogue on Infrastructure to support the North-South Corridor, held from 24 - 27 February 2025.
