Kenya is set to take over the rotating chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) from Burundi, with a renewed focus on digitisation to address trade barriers and enhance regional competitiveness.
The 2025 COMESA Summit, scheduled for next month in Nairobi, will bring together leaders from the 21-member trade bloc to commit to technology-driven solutions aimed at deepening regional value chains, harmonising trade policies, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
“We have made significant progress, including the entry into force of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area, which now forms Africa’s largest integrated market,” said Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui during the Host Agreement signing.
“However, persistent Non-Tariff Barriers continue to hinder intra-COMESA trade. We must work collectively to eliminate these obstacles and unlock our full potential.”
The Summit will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum, a platform for private sector stakeholders to engage policymakers on trade, investment, and innovation priorities.
COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Administration and Finance, Dr. Dev Haman, underscored the role of digitisation in streamlining cross-border trade and boosting industrialisation.
“The 2025 Summit is a pivotal moment for our region. By embracing digital tools, we can open new trade corridors, strengthen supply chains, and ensure that growth is both inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
The high-level gathering will convene Heads of State and Government, ministers, private sector leaders, and development partners to deliberate on advancing regional integration, trade facilitation, and economic transformation.
