SADC Chairpersons 1980– 2019
| Date | Chairperson | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1980-1981 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1981-1982 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1982-1983 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1983-1984 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1984-1985 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1985-1986 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1986-1987 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1987-1988 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1988-1989 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1989-1990 | H.E President Ali Hassan Mwinyi | United Republic of Tanzania |
| 1990-1991 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1991-1992 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1992-1993 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1993-1994 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1994-1995 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1995-1996 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1996-1997 | H.E President Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire | Republic of Botswana |
| 1997-1998 |
H.E President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela |
Republic of South Africa |
| 1998-1999 |
H.E President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela |
Republic of South Africa |
| 1999-2000 |
H.E President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki |
Republic of South Africa |
| 2000-2001 |
H.E President Joachim Chissano |
Republic of Mozambique |
| 2001-2002 | H.E President Sam Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma | Republic of Namibia |
| 2002-2003 | H.E President Jose Eduardo dos Santos | Republic of Angola |
| 2003-2004 |
H.E President Benjamin William Mkapa |
United Republic of Tanzania |
| 2004-2005 | Prime Minister Paul Raymond Berenger | Republic of Mauritius |
| 2005-2006 | H.E President Festus Gontebanye Mogae | Republic of Botswana |
| 2006-2007 | H.E Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili | Kingdom of Lesotho |
| 2007-2008 | H.E President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa | Republic of Zambia |
| 2008-2009 |
H.E President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki H.E President Kgalema petrus Motlanthe H.E President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma |
Republic of South Africa |
| 2009-2010 | H.E President Joseph Kabila | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| 2010-2011 | H. E President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba | Republic of Namibia |
| 2011-2012 | H.E President Jose Eduardo dos Santos | Republic of Angola |
| 2012-2013 | H.E President Armando Emilio Guebuza | Republic of Mozambique |
| 2013-2014 |
H.E President Dr Joyce Banda H.E President Peter Mutharika |
Republic of Malawi |
| 2014-2015 | H.E President Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama | Republic of Botswana |
| 2015-2016 | H.E President Robert Gabriel Mugabe | Republic of Zimbabwe |
| 2016-2017 | His Royal Majesty King Mswati III | Kingdom of Eswatini |
| 2017-2018 |
H.E President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma H.E President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa |
Republic of South Africa |
| 2018-2019 | H.E President Hage Gottfried Geingob | Republic of Namibia |
| 2019- | H.E President Dr John Joseph Magufuli | United Republic of Tanzania |
*Please note that the SADC Chairpersonship runs from August of a year to the following year in August hence the overlapping in the years.
