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The virtual university would have an administration centre located in Eswatini with
satellite online campuses at universities and colleges across the region to ensure that as
many people as possible benefit from the institution. The Summit commended His Majesty
and the Government of Eswatini for the proposal to grant 300 scholarships, representing
20 for each SADC Member State.
The operationalisation of the SADC University of Transformation was later
approved by the 38th Summit as a virtual university to focus on entrepreneurship,
innovation, commercialisation, technology transfer, enterprise development, digital and
knowledge economy, in support of the SADC industrialisation agenda. The university will
support Member States with training in relevant skills as SADC intensifies efforts to
transform into an industrialised region.

SADC Regional Development Fund
An agreement to operationalize the SADC Regional Development Fund was approved and
the Fund will be established in two Phases, with Phase 1 focusing on project preparation and
development. Phase 2 will have four funding windows to support regional integration through
infrastructure development, industrial development, integration and economic adjustment,
and social development, with initial capitalisation of US$120 million commencing in 2017.
This should allow the region to take full control of its integration agenda which still relies on
external support. The SADC Regional Development Fund is a financial mechanism to
mobilise resources from Member States, private sector and development partners to finance
programmes and projects to deepen regional integration and development.
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Alternative Sources of Funding
The SADC region has the potential to mobilise more than US$1.2 billion to fund its own
programmes from alternative sources as part of efforts to reduce dependence on external
funding, according to studies commissioned by the SADC Secretariat. A large pool of
resources could be accessible for this purpose if alternative and innovative sources of funding
are tapped, such as small taxes or levies on imports and exports, on tourism including air
tickets, and financial transactions, as well as a lottery system, philanthropy, and regional events.

Protocols and other Legal Instruments
Several legal instruments were approved (see Annex): to establish a SADC Anti-Corruption
Committee to oversee the implementation of the Protocol Against Corruption, reporting to
the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation; on
financial matters for cooperation on investment and the development of financial markets; a
mechanism to apply for a grace period on removal of tariffs; operationalising the SADC
Regional Development Fund; and amending the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development in accordance with commitments made at regional, continental and
international levels.
Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development
The Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development provides for the empowerment
of women, elimination of discrimination and the promotion of gender equality and equity
through gender-responsive legislation, policies, programmes and projects.

Status of Protocols
The Summit also reviewed the status of ratification of Protocols, noting that 26 protocols
have entered into force while 7 others have not yet come into force, and urged Member
State that are yet to accede or ratify these protocols to do so.