Seven Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations have officially backed a plan that could unlock $16.1 billion in regional GDP and generate over 1.6 million jobs.
SADC wants to transform the North-South Corridor (NSC) into a “smart economic corridor.”
This would position it as a central hub for industrialisation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.
At a recent high-level workshop in Johannesburg, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – along with international development partners – endorsed the NSC Economic Corridor Pilot Programme.
This approval paves the way for the corridor to evolve from a purely transit and trade corridor into a fully integrated economic corridor.
The Southern African economy
Stretching from Durban to Kolwezi in the DRC, the NSC carries more than 60% of all SADC trade. In the process, it serves over half of the region’s population.
It overlays key Trans-African Highways, traverses rich mineral belts in the DRC, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and passes through prime agricultural zones and major river basins such as the Zambezi and Limpopo.
With access to the Southern African Power Pool Grid and regional ICT infrastructure, the route is ideally positioned to boost manufacturing, enhance value chains, and modernise agriculture.
The “smart corridor” concept aims to concentrate growth hubs within easy reach of core infrastructure.
This will ensure businesses, farmers, and communities benefit from improved transport, power, and digital connectivity.
The corridor
The NSC corridor is the backbone of the SADC region, extending from Durban, South Africa, to Kolwezi in the DRC.
It overlaps with several Trans-African Highways (TAH), including:
- TAH3: Cape Town to Tripoli
- TAH4: Cape Town to Cairo
- TAH9: Beira to Lobito
The NSC Economic Corridor Pilot Programme, is expected to launch in 2026. Crucially, the initiative will focus on opportunities for youth, women, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Is this a realistic vision by SADC?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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