Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
Seven SADC Member States have launched an ambitious initiative to transform the North-South Corridor (NSC) from a simple transit and trade route into a smart economic corridor, a move projected to unlock US$16,1 billion in GDP and create 1,6 million jobs across the region.
The corridor, which currently facilitates the movement of over 60 percent of SADC’s trade, is set to be repositioned as a powerhouse of industrialisation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
At a high-level workshop in Johannesburg from July 24 to 25, 2025, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — together with international co-operation partners and SADC implementing agencies, endorsed and validated the NSC Economic Corridor Pilot Programme.
“At a high-level workshop in Johannesburg, the seven Member States, namely Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and several International Corporation Partners and SADC implementing partners endorsed and validated the concept of the NSC Economic Corridor Pilot Programme, laying the groundwork to evolve the corridor into a fully integrated economic corridor,” the regional bloc secretariat said in a statement.
The North-South Corridor is regarded as SADC’s most strategic trade artery, linking Durban in South Africa to Kolwezi in the DRC. It overlays key Trans-African Highways (TAH) including TAH3 (Cape Town to Tripoli), TAH4 (Cape Town to Cairo) and TAH9 (Beira to Lobito), connecting seven countries and more than half of the region’s population.
“The NSC is considered the backbone of the SADC region, spanning from Durban in South Africa to Kolwezi in DRC, overlaying several Trans-African Highways . . . The NSC is serviced by the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) Grid and ICT infrastructure networks, which provide great opportunities to industrialisation and improved and modern agricultural practices that can benefit from enhanced energy and digital services,” it said.
The route also passes through some of Africa’s richest mineral belts in the DRC, Zambia and Zimbabwe, key agricultural production hubs, and major river basins such as the Okavango, Zambezi, and Limpopo.
The existing energy and ICT networks along the corridor position it well for industrial growth, modern agriculture, and digital transformation.
The smart economic corridor concept focuses on clustering high-growth economic zones within easy reach of the NSC, allowing for efficient infrastructure usage, rapid access to markets, and better service delivery.
“It is estimated that the North South Economic Corridor could unlock US$16,1 billion in GDP within the region and generate approximately 1,6 million jobs with inclusion of youths, women and small and medium enterprises, through local manufacturing, value chains and other economic activities,” SADC said.
Local manufacturing, value chain development, and targeted support for women, youth, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are expected to be key drivers of the transformation.
The pilot programme is set to begin in 2026, subject to approval by the SADC Council of Ministers and the Summit of Heads of State in August 2025.
Once implemented, the North-South Economic Corridor is expected to become a catalyst for regional economic integration, turning Africa’s busiest trade route into a driver of industrialisation, job creation, and shared prosperity.
