President Ramaphosa to Lead at SADC Summit and TICAD9, Advancing Regional and Global Ties
Evident Makatwane 
Image Credit: GovernmentZA
President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on two pivotal international engagements first as South Africa’s representative at the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Madagascar, and then as the head of a high-level delegation at TICAD9 in Japan.
A Historic SADC Summit in Madagascar
On 17 August, Madagascar hosts the SADC Summit in Antananarivo at the Ivato Conference Centre, its first time leading the bloc since rejoining in 2014 after a period of suspension. The summit, held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” will focus on strengthening industrial capacity, modernising agriculture, and promoting sustainable energy transitions to bolster regional integration.
President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar will assume the SADC Chairpersonship, succeeding Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa. At the same time, South Africa will formally accept the Chairship for the 2026–2027 term. Summit discussions will also include reviewing progress under the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, assessing political, defense, and security cooperation, and evaluating achievements from the previous summit’s innovation-focused agenda.
South Africa at TICAD9 in Japan
Following the SADC summit, President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s delegation to TICAD9, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held from 20–22 August in Yokohama. The conference co-hosted by Japan, the UN, UNDP, World Bank, and the African Union gathers African leaders, development agencies, and international partners to explore development strategies under the theme “People, Planet, and Prosperity in a Changing World”.
South Africa is a key partner in the Japan-Africa relationship. Japan-based investment in the country supports over 200,000 jobs across 273 firms. The summit comes at a time when renewed Japan-Africa engagement is expected, with both government and private sectors looking to deepen collaborations.
Why These Engagements Matter
- Regional Integration: At SADC, South Africa will push for deepened collaboration through industrialisation, food security, and energy resilience critical to navigating climate vulnerabilities and economic transformation.
- Diplomatic and Economic Clout: Leading the charge at TICAD9, President Ramaphosa highlights South Africa’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s global partnerships, especially with investors from Japan and broader international blocs like G7 and BRICS.
These summits underscore South Africa’s commitment to building both regional solidarity and international trust, vital for long-term growth, sustainability, and diplomatic influence.
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