Online Reporter
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s assumption of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairmanship has been welcomed by business as an opportunity to turn regional trade agreements and digital reforms into tangible gains for exporters, manufacturers and investors.
Zimbabwe will take over the rotational chairmanship from Kenya for the 2026–2027 term when it hosts the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit on October 22 at the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
For local businesses, the significance of the chairmanship extends beyond hosting the regional summit, with traders keen to see Zimbabwe use its leadership position to accelerate implementation of measures that reduce the cost and complexity of cross-border commerce.
Zimbabwe is already implementing the COMESA electronic Certificate of Origin, which is designed to improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs and increase transparency in regional trade.
The electronic system is currently being implemented by five COMESA member states, including Zimbabwe.
The country is among 15 member states implementing the COMESA Electronic Single Window, allowing traders to submit required documentation through a single digital platform rather than dealing with multiple government agencies.
Mr Tafadzwa Muchengeti, chief executive of Muchengeti Investments, said the initiatives could make a meaningful difference to businesses if Zimbabwe used its chairmanship to push for wider and faster adoption.
“Business is looking for practical outcomes from regional integration. The electronic Certificate of Origin and Single Window are exactly the type of reforms that can reduce delays, paperwork and transaction costs. Zimbabwe should use its chairmanship to make these systems work more seamlessly across borders,” he said.
Mr Muchengeti said greater harmonisation of customs procedures would be particularly important for companies seeking to expand exports into neighbouring markets.
“The opportunity is to make COMESA feel like a genuine common market for businessmen. If a manufacturer can produce in Zimbabwe and move goods through the region with fewer administrative obstacles, that changes the economics of investing in additional production capacity,” he said.
Development economist Dr Farai Chikowore said Zimbabwe could also use the chairmanship to advance the bloc’s investment agenda.
In April this year, COMESA member states validated a revised Common Investment Area Agreement, a framework aimed at strengthening intra-regional investment and attracting foreign direct investment.
“This is an important moment because investment and trade are closely connected. Businesses will invest where they can access markets and operate under predictable rules. Zimbabwe can use the chairmanship to push for faster progress on the regional investment framework,” Dr Chikowore said.
