In August 2015 the NBF, Business Council of Southern Africa (BCSA) and the Botswana Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) through the support of the SADC Secretariat, GIZ, African Development Bank and the Southern Africa Trust hosted the inaugural Southern Africa Business Forum in Gaborone, Botswana. During the two-day forum, attending private sector representatives  from the SADC region provided their input related to the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the SADC region, aligned with the SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).  The outcomes of the forum was captured in the ‘Savuti Declaration’, a document that details the findings and commitment of the private sector to act towards regional economic integration in the SADC region.

In March 2016, with support provided by GIZ, Southern Africa Trust and SADC, the NBF will be coordinating the Southern Africa Business Forum workshop to launch the six working groups identified around the main issues listed in the ‘Savuti Declaration’. This workshop will identify priority projects in each working group aligned to SADC’s RISDP focus areas.

The NBF is offering sponsorship opportunities and strategic partnerships in hosting the meeting. For more information on how to become part of the inaugural SABF meeting, kindly contact Terrence Mutuswa on email: terrence.mutuswa@thenbf.co.za