On the 16th of December 2024, a courtesy visit was conducted during which Mr. Thabo Thamane, the Chief Executive Officer of the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), formally welcomed Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula and conveyed sincere congratulations on Mr. Sapula’s recent appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the SADC Development Finance Resource Centre (SADC-DFRC). The meeting proved to be productive, with a primary focus on promoting collaborations among Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and improving value-added services across the region.

In light of the current economic landscape, Mr. Thamane emphasized the significant role of business intervention services, particularly in the domains of research and policy advisory. He articulated the pressing need for strategic partnerships, aimed at gathering expertise to facilitate sustainable economic development within the region.

Mr. Sapula, while presenting the vision of the SADC-DFRC, highlighted customer-centricity as a fundamental principle. He elaborated on the commitment of the DFRC to provide customized solutions that address the distinct requirements of various DFIs. This commitment reflects the organization’s dedication to achieving excellence in service delivery within the DFI network. Through this focused approach, the DFRC seeks to transcend its role as a mere facilitator of capacity building, aiming instead to foster positive change and generate impactful outcomes for institutions and governments.