VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Republic of Seychelles took part in the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, together with the preceding Senior Officials and Council of Ministers meetings, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar from August 4 to 17, 2025. The Summit was hosted under the theme ‘Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC’, with deliberations focusing on accelerating regional integration through enhanced development cooperation.
Seychelles was represented at the Summit by Principal Minister Jean-François Ferrari, who led the delegation. He was accompanied by Christian Faure, Director General for Regional Affairs, and Trisha Hoareau, Second Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs. During the opening ceremony, Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, officially assumed the SADC chairpersonship, succeeding Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
On the margins of the Summit, the government of the Republic of Angola and the government of the Republic of Seychelles took an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations, with the signing of a Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement. The agreement was signed by Téte António, Minister for External Relations of Angola, and Minister Ferrari. The Summit also approved the reappointment of Elias Magosi as SADC Executive Secretary for a second term of four years, and provided an opportunity for member states to discuss the review of the Regional Strategic Indicative Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 and to consider a value proposition, investment plan and roadmap on the North South Economic Corridor, including a SADC Maritime Corridor Strategy.
