The SADC High Level Ministerial Round Table Dialogue on infrastructure to support the North-South Corridor was successful and was attended by various ministerial experts from Transport, ICT, Information, and Meteorology in Harare yesterday.
Running under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised SADC,” key points and recommendations addressed include driving industrialisation, regional integration, and mobile roaming and cross-border connectivity initiatives across the SADC region.
Speaking at the highly anticipated summit, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Adv Felix Tapiwa Mhona, stated that investing in infrastructure is crucial for the development of the region.
“Investments in infrastructure, such as roads and railways, are crucial for the development of our region. With the current boom in exports of chrome ore, ferrochrome, granite, lithium, iron ore, coal, and many bulky minerals, as well as the inbound movement of containers, grains, fertilisers, and containerised traffic, it is high time we should step up our game and collaborate more,” he said.
He added that, as Zimbabwe, they are also playing their part in the realization of the North-South Corridor under the wise leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, who is currently the SADC chairman.
“On 31 August 2022, we launched the Beitbridge Border Post Upgrading and Modernisation Project with the guidance of our great leader, His Excellency Cde Dr. ED Mnangagwa. This border lies in a very strategic location along the North-South Corridor.
“It is the busiest regional transit link in Southern and Eastern Africa, connecting South Africa with Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Malawi, and Tanzania,” said Hon Advocate Mhona.
The inclusion of the North-South Corridor signifies the essence of joint transport development, which is key for SADC integration.
The SADC Secretariat finalized that the Legal and Institutional Framework, Trade and Industrialization Strategy, Project Preparation and Planning, and Trade and Transport Facilitation promote regional coordination, which fosters collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector.
Ms. Mapolao Mokoena, Director of Infrastructure Services at the SADC Secretariat, emphasized the need for connectivity across all borders to ensure that SADC is connected.
“SADC Member States with existing initiatives are urged to proceed and domesticate the revised SADC Roaming Regulations, reducing rates and removing surcharges to ensure harmonization across the region and promote regional coordination. We must foster collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector,” she said.
The Meteorology Services Department was urged to work with the governments so that operators can address climate resiliency to ensure the continued availability of telecommunications services during a disaster, as stipulated in the SADC Model NETP.
In her closing remarks, the Minister of ICT and Courier Services, Hon. A.T Mavetera, said, “Zimbabwe’s initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure along the North-South Corridor in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are pivotal for regional integration and economic growth. These initiatives include Roaming Agreements, Fibre Deployment and Broadband Connectivity, LEO Satellite Licensing, Mobile Tower Relocation, Digital Skills Training, and improved Broadband.”
The SADC High-Level Ministerial Round Table Dialogue was well attended by honorable ministers, deputy ministers, and representatives from the Republics of Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Honourable Dr. Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services for the Republic of Zimbabwe, was also present.
The North-South Corridor seeks to strengthen and resolve an interconnected Southern African region within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area in the world, which aims to leverage a massive regime of transport and logistics.
Under the leadership of His Excellency President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwe government has rehabilitated major roads, facilitating smooth movement throughout the region.
Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
