Abstract:
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is an intergovernmental organization consisting of 16 member states in Southern Africa. It was initially established as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in 1980 with the goal of reducing economic dependence on apartheid-ruled South Africa. In 1992, the organization transformed into SADC, aiming to promote regional integration and sustainable development among its member states. The current SADC member states include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The study investigated the impact of trade integration on poverty reduction and employment in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Secondary data from various sources were collected and analyzed using a quantitative research design. The findings indicated that trade integration did not consistently lead to increased employment rates and reduced poverty levels in the SADC. While some countries benefited from trade integration, others faced challenges. Factors such as diversified economies, industry-specific obstacles, political stability, and vulnerability to external shocks influenced outcomes. Policymakers were recommended to address these issues by implementing solutions such as education and skills training, entrepreneurship support, infrastructure development, regional cooperation, agricultural productivity, and social protection programs. Furthermore, further research is needed to understand the specific drivers of employment and poverty trends in individual countries and develop effective strategies for poverty reduction in the SADC.
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