Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is intensifying efforts to harness artificial intelligence, liberalise air transport and strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to accelerate regional integration, trade and sustainable development.
This was said by SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Angele Makombo N’tumba on Thursday while addressing delegates at the SADC Cluster Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Transport, ICT, Meteorology and Information in the second largest city.
She said the region must embrace emerging technologies and integrated infrastructure systems to improve connectivity, economic competitiveness and resilience to climate shocks.
“SADC Member States are actively working to deepen regional connectivity, enhance mobility, accelerate digital transformation and harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence while developing infrastructure systems that are resilient to increasing climate-related shocks,” N’tumba said.
She said transport, aviation, ICT and meteorology should no longer be viewed as separate sectors but as interconnected pillars underpinning regional integration, trade facilitation, disaster preparedness and sustainable development.
N’tumba said the effective implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) remained critical to improving connectivity across Africa by lowering travel costs, promoting tourism and facilitating trade.
“For SADC, enhanced aviation connectivity extends beyond the movement of people. It is equally about enabling the efficient flow of goods, services, skills, investment and opportunity across our region,” she said.
The regional bloc is also placing increasing emphasis on climate resilience amid growing exposure to floods, droughts, cyclones and other extreme weather events that threaten transport corridors, airports, communication networks and essential public services,” she added.
“These events underscore the imperative that infrastructure planning must be increasingly informed by climate-risk considerations, robust data systems, early warning mechanisms and a long-term resilience perspective,” N’tumba said.
She noted that meteorological services were becoming increasingly important for aviation safety, infrastructure planning and disaster preparedness.
“The integration of artificial intelligence, satellite observations and real-time monitoring technologies could significantly improve the region’s ability to anticipate and manage risks.
“AI can enhance predictive maintenance, strengthen climate and weather forecasting, optimise transport routes, improve disaster-risk management and support more efficient and responsive public service delivery,” she said.
N’tumba also said SADC had begun developing a regional artificial intelligence strategy and regulatory framework to guide the responsible adoption of AI while safeguarding citizens from potential risks.
“At the regional level, the SADC Secretariat has developed draft terms of reference for the formulation of a comprehensive SADC AI model strategy and regulatory framework,” she said.
South African Transport Minister Barbara Creecy also emphasized the need for accelerated implementation of regional aviation reforms, saying liberalised skies must be accompanied by broader economic transformation to unlock their full benefits.
“The full and accelerated implementation of SAATM remains a top priority as it will offer a pathway to seamless regional connectivity,” she said.
However, she cautioned that aviation liberalisation alone would not automatically create connectivity.
“Aviation responds to economic demand and liberalisation alone does not automatically result in connectivity,” she said, noting that limited industrialisation, low intra-African trade and uneven tourism development continued to constrain growth.
Creecy also stressed the need for greater investment in climate-resilient aviation infrastructure and advanced forecasting systems as climate change increasingly disrupts airport operations and transport networks.
“AI-enabled forecasting, climate analytics and operational systems can significantly enhance decision-making, improve safety and increase the resilience of aviation systems,” she said.
New Ziana
