South Africa,July,2026-The Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened the 44th Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Energy and Ministers Responsible for Water on 17 July 2026 in a hybrid meeting hosted by the Republic of South Africa.
The meeting brought together Ministers and senior officials from SADC Member States to review progress in implementing regional energy and water programmes, assess the implementation of previous Ministerial decisions, and consider strategic interventions aimed at advancing regional integration, sustainable development and climate resilience.
The official opening ceremony featured introductory remarks by Ms Angéle Makombo N’Tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration. The Joint Meeting was co-chaired by Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, and Honourable Pemmy Majodina, Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of South Africa, who serve as Interim Co-Chairpersons of the SADC Committees of Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water.
In her introductory remarks, Ms N’Tumba underscored the strategic importance of the energy and water sectors in driving regional integration and socio-economic transformation. She noted that energy and water remain two of the Region’s most important natural resources, supporting health, agriculture, industry and other productive sectors while contributing to the realisation of the SADC regional integration agenda.
Welcoming Ministers to the meeting, Dr Ramokgopa said the gathering reflected the Region’s collective commitment to strengthening cooperation in sectors that are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of Southern Africa.
“Your presence demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing sustainable development in two sectors that are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Southern Africa.”
The Minister noted that geopolitical tensions, climate change, rapid urbanisation and increasing demand for energy and water services require SADC Member States to adopt innovative, coordinated and forward-looking approaches that deepen regional integration while unlocking the Region’s vast natural resource potential. He further emphasised the importance of the water-energy-food nexus in ensuring sustainable development, food security and climate resilience.
Turning to the energy sector, Ms N’Tumba observed that although the SADC region is richly endowed with hydropower, coal, solar, wind and natural gas resources, many Member States continue to experience challenges in ensuring reliable and affordable energy access. She called for increased investment in energy infrastructure, stronger regional cooperation and policy reforms that encourage private sector participation while accelerating implementation of strategic regional energy projects.
Echoing these priorities,Dr Ramokgopa stressed that strengthening energy security remains one of the Region’s foremost priorities. “Energy security remains one of our region’s foremost priorities.”
He called for accelerated investment in electricity generation, regional transmission infrastructure, power interconnectors, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, noting that these investments will strengthen regional energy security, improve affordability and support a just and inclusive energy transition.
During the meeting, Ministers reviewed progress made in implementing decisions adopted during the 43rd Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in July 2025. They considered progress on strategic regional transmission projects, including the Angola-Namibia Interconnector (ANNA), Tanzania-Zambia Interconnector, Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector, Mozambique-Zambia Interconnector, and the Zimbabwe-Zambia-Botswana-Namibia (ZIZABONA) Interconnector, which are expected to strengthen regional electricity connectivity and facilitate increased cross-border electricity trade.
Ministers also reviewed progress on implementation of the amended SADC Protocol on Energy, the operationalisation of the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), establishment of the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF), implementation of the Regional Energy Transmission, Trade and Decarbonisation Programme (RETRADE-SA) and development of the SADC Just Energy Transition Framework.
On the water sector,Dr. Ramokgopa highlighted that sustainable management of shared river basins and transboundary watercourses remains essential for regional stability, economic development, environmental protection and climate adaptation. He emphasised that continued cooperation through River Basin Organisations and coordinated transboundary water management initiatives will enable Member States to utilise shared water resources equitably while safeguarding them for future generations.
The Minister further observed that the increasing frequency of droughts, floods and other extreme weather events reinforces the importance of investing in climate-resilient water infrastructure, integrated water resources management, early warning systems and sustainable energy systems that support both climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Ministers reviewed progress on regional water programmes aimed at improving water and sanitation services, strengthening transboundary water management and enhancing climate resilience.
Discussions focused on implementation of regional water infrastructure projects through River Basin Organisations and Shared Water Institutions, the SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) programmes, the SADC Water Fund, climate-resilient infrastructure initiatives including the SADC Hydrological Cycle Observing System (SADC-HYCOS), and the implementation of the Regional Strategic Action Plan V (RSAP V) for the Water Sector. Ministers also considered the proposed extension of the RSAP V Implementation Plan to 2030 to accelerate delivery of regional water priorities.
The Joint Meeting also reviewed overall progress in implementing decisions adopted during the 43rd Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water, while considering recommendations for submission to the SADC Council of Ministers and the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place in August 2026 in Durban, Republic of South Africa.
The meeting underscored SADC’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in the energy and water sectors as key drivers of industrialisation, economic growth, climate resilience and sustainable development. Ministers underscored the importance of accelerating implementation of strategic regional programmes, mobilising investment and strengthening partnerships to ensure secure energy systems, sustainable water resources and improved livelihoods for the people of Southern Africa. (SADC)
