Pretoria – The South African government has launched a call for sponsorships and strategic partnerships ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit 2026, which will be hosted in South Africa in August this year.
The appeal targets businesses, development partners, civil society organisations, State-owned entities and international donors to support what government describes as one of the region’s key diplomatic and economic gatherings.
According to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), potential partners are invited to contribute financially, through goods and services, or via strategic partnerships covering summit-related activities, including ministerial meetings, side events and stakeholder engagements.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected interim SADC Chairperson in November 2025 during an extraordinary summit, after Madagascar stepped down from the role due to political instability.
Sponsorship contributions
Government said the summit will provide a platform to advance regional priorities such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, innovation and sustainable growth across Southern Africa.
In its sponsorship appeal, GCIS stressed that all partnerships will be formalised under strict governance frameworks.
It stated: “No remuneration will be offered for sponsorship contributions,” adding that sponsors will instead receive recognition based on the value and nature of their support, subject to official approval processes.
The government further emphasised that all sponsorship agreements will comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury regulations to ensure transparency and accountability.
Officials said the summit is expected to bring together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders and development stakeholders from across the region, and aims to strengthen regional integration.
The appeal also highlights several areas open for sponsorship, including transport, accommodation, ICT connectivity, branding, security, sustainability initiatives, media services, and cultural showcases.
Applications for sponsorship are open and will close on 18 August 2026. Interested organisations can submit proposals via email to the official GCIS sponsorship channels provided by government.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
