President William Ruto has officially taken the rotating chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Authority during the 24th Heads of State and Government Summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).
The COMESA Authority, the highest policy-making body, comprises the heads of state from the 21 member countries.
It sets the strategic direction and policy guidelines, and oversees the implementation of the bloc’s agenda, driving efforts to deepen regional integration, trade, and economic cooperation.
Taking over from Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who chaired the authority for the past year, Ruto’s new leadership position places Kenya at the forefront of advancing COMESA’s objectives over the next 12 months.
What Kenyans Should Expect
Ruto’s chairmanship presents an opportunity to enhance the country’s regional influence and advocate for policies that can expand market access for Kenyan goods, promote industrialization, and create jobs.
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With COMESA member states collectively representing over 640 million people, deepened cooperation promises to enhance the economy and promote sustainable development.
Since its founding in 1994, COMESA has been a key driver of peace, trade facilitation, and infrastructure development in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Ruto’s leadership is expected to focus on removing trade barriers, strengthening supply chains, and promoting regional value addition
This will boost Kenya’s economic recovery and growth.
As the chair, Ruto will also play a role in steering COMESA through challenges such as post-pandemic economic recovery and the need for closer integration ahead of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ambitions.
24th COMESA Summit
The summit also featured the 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition, which brought together over 300 entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from across Africa.
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Participants will discuss strategies to enhance intra-African trade, attract investment, and accelerate economic growth within the bloc.
Kenya is hosting this year’s summit marking a move to solidify the country’s role as a regional economic hub and champion of African unity and prosperity.
COMESA meetings kicked off on October 6, bringing together regional heads of state, foreign ministers, business leaders, and development partners to discuss trade, peace, and integration across the 21-member bloc.
Members of COMESA
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Congo (Dem. Rep.)
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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