Southern Africa Customs Union

The Governments of the Republic of Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Namibia and Republic of South Africa.

Acknowledging the positive role which the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) has played in the past one hundred years and the important role it can play in promoting regional integration and the economic development of all its Member States;

Mindful of the different levels of economic development of the SACU Member States and the need for their integration into the regional and global economy;

Recognising the challenges presented by developments at the regional and global level and the need to position SACU to respond to these;

Convinced that SACU can be a vehicle for deeper development integration both within itself and within the Southern African region;

Hereby commit to the following: 

Vision

An economic community with equitable and sustainable development, dedicated to the welfare of its people for a common future.

Mission

To serve as an engine for regional integration and development, industrial and economic diversification, the expansion of intra regional trade and investment, and global competitiveness.

To build economic policy coherence, harmonization and convergence to meet the development needs of the region.

To promote sustainable economic growth and development for employment creation and poverty reduction.

To serve as a building block of an ever closer community among the peoples of Southern Africa.

To develop common policies and strategies for areas such as trade facilitation; effective customs controls; and competition.

To develop effective, transparent and democratic institutions and processes.