Online Reporter
Kudakwashe Mugari in Nairobi, Kenya
PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA arrived here yesterday ahead of the 24th Comesa Heads of State and Government Summit, where Zimbabwe is set to assume the position of Vice Chairperson of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).
This significant development positions Zimbabwe to play a leading role in shaping regional economic policy and advancing Africa’s integration agenda — a continuation of its successful leadership within the SADC bloc since last year.
The summit, held under the theme “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” brings together leaders from 21 member states to deliberate on strategies to strengthen intra-African trade and investment.
Kenya will assume the rotating chairmanship of Comesa from Burundi, with Zimbabwe taking over as Vice Chair and set to host the next summit — thereby chairing the regional bloc from 2026 to 2027.
President Mnangagwa and fellow Heads of State will focus discussions on critical areas such as trade and investment, regional integration, sustainable development, infrastructure growth, agriculture, and women’s empowerment.
Among the summit’s top priorities is the promotion of intra-African trade through the removal of non-tariff barriers, expansion of market access for goods and services, and harmonisation of policies to enhance competitiveness.
Regional integration remains central to Africa’s transformation agenda, with leaders expected to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The summit will also examine how digitalisation can drive inclusive growth and economic resilience across member states.
Infrastructure development — particularly in transport and energy — will feature prominently, with a focus on boosting cross-border projects to link economies and stimulate trade. In agriculture, leaders will seek to enhance productivity, promote value addition, and ensure the sector’s resilience in the face of global economic shocks.
On women’s empowerment, the summit will deliberate on expanding opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses to promote inclusive economic growth within Comesa.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, attended the Comesa Council of Ministers meeting yesterday, where Zimbabwe officially assumed the Vice Chairmanship at the ministerial level.
“President Mnangagwa is here for the Heads of State meeting, and yesterday we had a meeting of the Council of Ministers where we took over the Vice Chairmanship at the ministerial level. After the Heads of State meeting, Kenya will be the Chair and Zimbabwe the Vice Chair, and we will lead the bloc from 2026 to 2027,” said Professor Murwira.
He added that Zimbabwe remains committed to creating a competitive and business-friendly environment to attract investment and deepen trade ties within the Comesa region.
“Zimbabwe is open for business and is reviewing its productivity, reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and reassessing all taxes and licences to promote the ease of doing business. The reduction of tariffs and levies will be critical as we trade with other Comesa members. We hope to increase production and attract more investors,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s growing leadership role within regional economic blocs such as SADC and Comesa underscores the country’s re-engagement and “Open for Business” thrust, positioning it as a key driver of Africa’s economic integration and transformation.
Meanwhile, last night, President Mnangagwa attended a dinner hosted by his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto.
Bongani Moyo