President Lazarus Chakwera has now officially been handed over the leadership of SADC from Mozambican counterpart Felipe Nyusi.

Chakwera has called for equality in the global distribution and production of Covid-19 vaccines. He says Africans have a moral duty to refuse to be treated as second-class citizens.

He said Africans have a moral duty to ratify the African free trade agreement.

Chakwera said Africa must insist on getting at least one seat on the Security Council of the United Nations.

Chakwera has touted the Shire Valley Transformation programme as one local project that could spearhead regional industralisation.

He said the bloc will introduce industralisation conference to be held in Malawi at a date to be announced.