El-Alamein:President Cyril Ramaphosa, serving as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), will attend the 8th African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in El-Alamein, Egypt, on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, this meeting will gather Heads of State and Government from the AU Bureau, Chairpersons of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), along with heads of AU Organs and development partners such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The annual event aims to facilitate discussions among the Chairpersons of the RECs about the status of continental integration and advancements towards achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, known as the 'Africa We Want'. The leaders will review the progress in implementing the Division of Labour between the AU, RECs/RMs, and Member States, emphasizing enhanced coordination and synergies.
A significant focus will be on the role of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in boosting both continental and regional integration. Key topics include progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), infrastructure developments related to water and sanitation, and conflict prevention and resolution strategies, including strengthened early warning mechanisms.
The meeting will also allow President Ramaphosa the opportunity for bilateral interactions with other leaders on pressing African issues. Additionally, Egypt will host a Business Forum from 2 to 4 October 2026, alongside a Summit of the Founders of AUDA-NEPAD on 3 October 2026.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau.
