The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Government of Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, in Gaborone, Botswana. The signing ceremony was attended by SADC Executive Secretary Elias M. Magosi and Japan's Ambassador to Botswana, H.E. Mr. Hoshiyama Takashi, representing their respective parties.
The MoC establishes a formal framework to enhance collaboration between SADC and Japan across several key areas. These include promoting trade and investment, fostering private sector development, and advancing cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, and human resource development.
This agreement builds upon Japan's longstanding engagement with the SADC region, which has historically included support for regional integration, peace and security, and socio-economic development projects. The signing is seen as a step to institutionalize and further deepen this existing strategic partnership.
The specific implementation of the cooperation outlined in the memorandum will be pursued through subsequent dialogues and mutually agreed projects between the two parties, focusing on the developmental priorities of the SADC region.
