Frequently Asked Questions

The SADC-DFRC is an autonomous SADC institution established under the SADC principle of subsidiarity. It is collectively ‘owned’ by the SADC-DFIs Network as its ‘self-help’ organization. Only the forty (40) SADC DFIs who are signatory to Memorandum of Understanding of May 2000 are members of the Network.

Through technical and capacity building support, as well as policy research and advisory services, the DFRC’s mandate is to promote the effective mobilization of resources by the financial sector, in particular the DFIs, for investment in key areas with the potential to stimulate growth, generate employment and alleviate poverty, in line with the objectives of SADC under the RISDP (2020 -2030).

DFRC’s objectives encompass the following:

• Develop a competent skills base for DFIs with capacity to develop projects to bankability;
• Enhance DFI capacity to mobilise domestic and external capital for projects;
• Improve DFIs creditworthiness;
• Institutional strengthening of DFIs through adoption of best practice corporate governance, financial prudence and regulation;
• Establish a data and information hub for development finance; and
• Advisory services to Governments towards improved investment (including cross-border) and regulatory environment for DFIs.

Overall objective is to be ‘a centre of excellence for development finance solutions’.  

The SADC Committee of Ministers responsible for Finance and Investment (COMFI) is a permanent committee of the Integrated Committee of Ministers (ICM) which reports through to the SADC Council of Ministers. COMFI is supported by the Senior Treasury Officials and the Committee of Central Bank Governors.

The DFI Subcommittee, which is comprised of all national DFIs in SADC member countries, is a subcommittee of the Senior Treasury Officials of SADC, and reports through them to COMFI.

The DFIs, through the DFRC, enjoy a functional relationship with the SADC Secretariat. Their main interface is through the Directorate for Finance, Investment and Customs (TIC). However, operational links also exist between the DFRC and the Trade and Industry, Infrastructure and Services and Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorates.

While all members of the Network are members of the DFI Subcommittee, not all DFIs represented on the Subcommittee are members of the Network. The Network is comprised of those DFIs that have signed the May 2000 MOU, which establishes it as an institutional mechanism of SADC.

No, the DFRC does not offer loans. It is not a financial institution but a vehicle for supporting SADC Development Finance Institutions through facilitating policy research, advisory and capacity building services.