Africa: SADC confronts the turbulence of global trade

Meeting in Harare on June 5, 2025, trade ministers from SADC member countries expressed their concern at the growing instability of the multilateral trading system. They warned against the persistent geopolitical tensions between Western and Eastern powers, believing that the intensification of trade conflicts could seriously undermine this trade framework.

Faced with a global environment marked by growing instability, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) expressed deep concern about the future of the multilateral trading system at its meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, on June 5, 2025. In a region where over 70% of foreign trade is based on this framework, the intensification of tensions between Western and Eastern powers, as well as the resurgence of trade conflicts, could seriously compromise its stability.

At a time when geopolitical tensions are prompting the West to tighten its trade ties with China and Russia, encouraging Beijing to move closer to developing economies, SADC is warning of the consequences of a weakening of multilateral trade, estimating that this could cost the most vulnerable countries between 1.5% and 2% in annual growth.

Selon les données de l’Observatoire de la complexité économique, en 2023, la SADC a enregistré des exportations de 290 milliards USD, soit 1,28 % du total mondial, tandis que ses importations ont atteint 224 milliards USD, soit 0,99 % des importations mondiales. Cependant, le commerce intra-régional entre les pays membres ne représentait que 15 % du commerce total de la région.

source: Africa24