Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
SADC Member States should accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to unlock sustainable economic growth, a top SADC official has said.
Speaking during a high-level plenary discussion during the Sixth SADC Cluster Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Transport, ICT, Information and Meteorology in Bulawayo on Thursday, SADC deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Ms Angele Makombo Ntumba said enhanced connectivity, digital transformation and climate resilience had become indispensable for economic growth and regional prosperity.
Ms Ntumba added:
“In this context, transport, aviation, information and communication technologies and meteorology can no longer be treated as separate policy domains. Rather, they are increasingly interdependent pillars that underpin regional integration, trade facilitation, disaster preparedness and sustainable development.”
According to Ms Ntumba, effective implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market remains central to improving connectivity across the continent and unlocking economic opportunities.
“It is a key enabler for reducing the cost of travel, promoting tourism, facilitating trade and strengthening linkages between our economies,” said Ms Ntumba.
Noting that improved aviation connectivity was not only about facilitating the movement of people, she said it is also aiding the efficient flow of goods, services, skills, investment and opportunities across the region.
SADC’s vision for regional integration was increasingly being shaped by technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which have the potential to transform public service delivery and economic activity, noted Ms Ntumba.
She said AI could play a significant role in strengthening climate and weather forecasting, improving disaster preparedness, optimising transport routes and enhancing infrastructure management.
“Artificial intelligence 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.
“Similarly, Digital Public Infrastructure can advance digital identity systems, enable secure and efficient payment platforms and facilitate trusted data exchange, thereby strengthening trade, mobility and regional interoperability.”
She warned that climate change continued to pose significant challenges to the region, with increasing incidents of floods, droughts, cyclones and other weather-related disasters threatening infrastructure, transport networks and essential services.
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, she said, highlighted the need for infrastructure planning to be informed by climate risk assessments, robust data systems and early warning mechanisms.
Ms Ntumba stressed that meteorological services had become increasingly important in supporting aviation safety, infrastructure planning, emergency preparedness and cross-border mobility.
The dialogue was held under the theme: “Liberalised Skies and AI-Enabled Climate-Resilient Infrastructure to Accelerate Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in SADC.”
