By Moses Magadza

A panel of parliamentary leaders, global trade experts and regional economic specialists will headline an upcoming UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) – SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) collaboration.

Ms. Masenate Molapo, the manager for the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (TIFI) programme of the SADC PF said the collaboration opens on 5 November 2025 under the theme, “Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in Advancing Regional Trade Integration through the AfCFTA.”

She said Hon. Ruth Mendez of Angola will chair the session while Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, the Secretary Geneal of the SADC PF will set the tone for the collaboration.

A seasoned regional governance expert, Ms. Sekgoma leads the SADC Parliamentary Forum, which brings together 15 member parliaments.

Her work has been central to advancing democracy, human rights and regional integration through model laws on areas such as HIV and AIDS, child marriage, gender-based violence, and public financial management.

She has championed parliamentary oversight aligned with SADC Vision 2050 and Africa Agenda 2063.

Mr. Paul Akiwumi, Director, Africa, LDCs and Special Programmes at UNCTAD of Ghana will deliver opening remarks on behalf of UNCTAD.

As Director of UNCTAD’s Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes Division, he brings over three decades of development policy leadership within the UN system.

His previous roles include serving in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General, as well as senior positions at UNEP, FAO and UNECA.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is expected to deliver high-level political remarks linking trade policy to inclusive economic transformation and parliamentary action.

Mr. Simon Mevel, the Economic Affairs Officer, UNECA, will provide the keynote on global and regional trade trends from the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

He is expected to unpack the implications of global tariffs and shifting trade dynamics for SADC. A trade policy specialist with 20 years’ experience, Mr. Mevel has authored more than 40 publications and led capacity-building initiatives across three continents.

Mrs. Diane Sayinzoga is the Chief, UNCTAD Regional Office for Africa and is scheduled to moderate the question-and-answer segment.

She previously managed special economic zones and export promotion for Rwanda and has served with the International Trade Centre under the Mo Ibrahim Fellowship.

As the countdown to the collaboration gains momentum, Ms Sekgoma has warned that the expiry of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has worsened economic vulnerabilities across Southern Africa, already weakened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the impact of recent global shocks, Ms Sekgoma noted that “the recent economic shocks, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to severe contractions across the region’s economies and a significant rise in public debt.”

She added that the expiry of AGOA “has further exacerbated vulnerabilities, leaving many countries exposed to higher tariff rates and increased unemployment, especially among women and youth.”

Despite these challenges, Ms. Sekgoma reaffirmed the SADC PF’s resolve to champion sustainable and inclusive economic recovery through parliamentary collaboration.

“The SADC Parliamentary Forum remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainable socio-economic development through parliamentary action and collaboration,” she said.

She explained that the Forum, through its TIFI standing committee, is working to strengthen parliamentary oversight and alignment with regional trade frameworks.

“Through the Committee on TIFI the Forum will guide alignment with regional frameworks such as the SADC Protocol on Trade and relevant international instruments, ensuring that our collective efforts translate into tangible improvements in the livelihoods of SADC citizens,” she said.

She stressed that the Forum’s approach brings together the expertise of technocrats, academics, civil society, and development partners to complement the political will and legislative authority of Members of Parliament.

“We are bringing together the expertise of technocrats, academics, civil society, and development partners to complement the political will and legislative authority of our Members of Parliament,” she stated.

Ms Sekgoma highlighted the SADC PF’s unique role in bridging the gap between policy and practice.

“In this way, the Forum strengthens the vital linkages between Parliament, policy, and practice, ensuring that regional integration efforts are inclusive, evidence-based, impactful and bring value to the most vulnerable,” she said.

Her remarks come as the region grapples with the fallout from AGOA’s expiry, with renewed calls for African parliaments to harness the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive regional industrialisation and inclusive growth.

The upcoming collaboration marks a milestone in strengthening the role of parliaments in steering trade reforms that support industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable growth in Southern Africa.

The collaboration will link research, policy dialogue and parliamentary action to support AfCFTA implementation across SADC member states.

-Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.