The overall objective of the Trade, Industry, Mining, Finance and Investment (TIFI) cluster is to facilitate and coordinate trade and financial liberalisation, competitive and diversified industrial and mining development and increased investment towards deeper regional integration and poverty eradication in the SADC region.

The specific objectives of the TIFI Directorate include:
•    Pursuing market integration through the establishment of the Free Trade Area (FTA), the SADC Customs Union and the SADC Common Market;
•    The attainment of macro-economic convergence, including tax coordination;
•    Developing and strengthening of financial and capital markets;
•    The attainment of deeper monetary cooperation;
•    Increasing the levels of investment in SADC including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI);
•    Enhancing SADC competitiveness in industrial, mining and other productive activities ensuring their effective participation in the global economy; and
•    Facilitating effective participation in international trade negotiations and compliance with agreements.