President Duma Gideon Urges Stronger Intra-Trade Cooperation at SADC Summit

President Duma Gideon Urges Stronger Intra-Trade Cooperation at SADC Summit. Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to prioritize intra-regional trade and economic development, stressing that greater cooperation is essential for tackling poverty and creating new opportunities for businesses across the region.

Speaking at the 45th SADC Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar, President Gideon emphasized that the region’s prosperity depends on policies that allow trade between member states to flourish. He noted that Africa’s economic future relies on building stronger pathways of cooperation and reducing barriers that hinder progress.

“Africa is in distress, it is calling, calling to each one of us. That cry of distress is a call, we must rise to the call here and now,” he said during his address, highlighting the urgency of creating synchronized policies that foster growth and reduce inequality.

For Botswana entrepreneurs and businesses, the President’s call presents an opportunity to benefit from a more integrated regional market. Gideon stressed the need to simplify customs processes and regulations, which he said often slow down trade and raise costs for businesses.

He also addressed the issue of informal cross-border trade, noting that while it provides livelihoods for many, it undermines formal trade systems. He called for measures to balance informal trade activities with policies that support sustainable and transparent economic growth.

The President’s remarks signal a push for a more business-friendly environment within SADC, one that encourages collaboration, expands market access, and strengthens regional value chains. For local businesses in Botswana, this vision could mean improved opportunities for expansion into neighboring countries and a greater role in regional economic development.