Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister and chairman of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Professor Amon Murwira, has challenged Member States to strengthen their integration agenda and position themselves as competitive players within Africa’s and global trade.
The minister said this in Lusaka, Zambia, on Thursday during the COMESA Council of Ministers meeting.
“This gathering comes at a moment of renewed opportunity for our region, an opportunity to consolidate the gains of our integration agenda, to deepen inter-commerce trade, to strengthen industrialisation, and to position our community as a credible and competitive actor within the African Continental Free Trade Area and the wider global economy,” he said.
Prof Murwira highlighted that the Council of Ministers meeting was grounded in the principles of solidarity and collective self-reliance enshrined in Article 2 of the COMESA Treaty.
He reaffirmed that COMESA must remain a member–state–driven organisation, emphasising that national ownership and active participation are vital for the success of regional programmes.
He commended the secretariat’s leadership and the support of international cooperating partners whose contributions have enabled meaningful progress across COMESA initiatives.
Building on this foundation, Prof Murwira urged member states to strengthen their collective resolve toward deeper regional integration.
“It is upon this foundation of self-reliance and shared responsibility that we must seize the opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to building a stronger, more competitive and economically vibrant COMESA region. The gains we have achieved must be safeguarded and expanded,” Prof Murwira said.
Reflecting on Zambia’s historic role in African unity, he invoked the legacy of its late President, Kenneth Kaunda, one of the founding fathers of regional cooperation on the Continent, and urged the region to continue pursuing his vision through unity, perseverance and mutual support.
“Through unity, perseverance, and mutual support, we will continue to move forward, crafting a legacy of transformation that will endure for generations to come,” he said.
Representing the Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango, the country’s Minister of Defence, Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma, reaffirmed Zambia’s unwavering commitment to COMESA’s integration agenda.
“Regional integration is no longer an option but an imperative for Africa’s competitiveness,” Mr Lufuma stated.
“Digital corridors must reach every corner of our region, connecting smallholder farmers and SMEs to regional markets. Together, we can build a more integrated, innovative, and prosperous Africa,” he said.
He also highlighted COMESA’s steady progress, noting the rise in intra-COMESA exports from US$2.3 billion in 2000 to US$14 billion in 2024, and Zambia’s leadership in advancing one-stop border posts that have reduced transit times by up to 30 percent.
COMESA Secretary General, Ms Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, highlighted progress in expanding the Free Trade Area, advancing digital skills for SMEs, supporting industrialisation programmes and strengthening transport and energy harmonisation.
She noted Zambia’s allocation of 10 acres of land for the new COMESA headquarters as a major institutional milestone.
Ms Kapwepwe said COMESA’s upcoming 2026–2030 Strategic Plan will focus on digital transformation, regional value chain development and inclusive economic growth.
With a combined population of more than 682 million and a GDP approaching US$1,12 trillion, COMESA leaders said deeper integration remains essential for sustainable development, job creation and global competitiveness.
