ABSTRACT
Regional infrastructure is one of the major determining factors of regional integration. Efficient infrastructure networks play a key role in enhancing international and regional connectivity and facilitating international trade through the free flow of goods and services across borders, enabling countries to gain from a better and more efficient allocation of resources. Both hard and soft infrastructures matter for countries to improve their trade potential. The objective of the chapter is to probe into the association between infrastructural development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and regional trade within SADC. The study first undertakes a hard and soft infrastructure diagnostic of the region and investigates the challenges that exist. The main components of the infrastructure are probed into, and various indicators are used to analyse the infrastructure landscape in the region. Second, the analysis probes into trade integration within the SADC region and its association with regional infrastructure. The findings show a strong and positive correlation between regional infrastructure and regional trade across SADC member states. There is also evidence that small islands like Mauritius and Seychelles lead other SADC countries in terms of infrastructural development while Comoros and Madagascar have not been faring so well. In terms of water and sanitation infrastructure, all four island nations seem to be at par, but differences can be observed in ICT and electricity and transport infrastructure, where Comoros and Madagascar lag behind. By focusing on a regional policy approach, SADC member countries need to make significant progress in addressing infrastructure deficits to boost their trade potential and thus enhance the region's economic development.
