Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
THE President of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA), Dr Tinashe Manzungu, is in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the 18th COMESA Business Forum being held alongside the 21st Comesa Heads of State and Government Summit.
Dr Manzungu is representing Southern Africa and serves on the seven-member Board of Directors of the Comesa Business Council.
Comesa Business Council brings together business leaders from Egypt, Mauritius, Kenya, DRC, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
The high-level forum is bringing together regional and international stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to chart a transformative path for Africa’s trade and industrial future.
This year’s theme, “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.
It emphasises the urgent need to harness technology to enhance trade through digitalisation, strengthen cross-border value chains, boost agricultural productivity in Comesa through Agritech, Agro-processing and Value Addition, promote innovation and competitiveness, expand opportunities for SMEs and women-led enterprises, and drive inclusive economic development across Comesa Member States.
The ZBCA is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Comesa Business Council, joining the regional economic bloc — unlocking access to financing opportunities from Afreximbank, Shelter Afrique, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Africa Reinsurance and Comesa Clearing House.
Zimbabwe’s participation continues to reaffirm its leadership and commitment to regional economic integration, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth.
In his address, Dr Manzungu highlighted the lack of infrastructure development finance in Southern Africa particularly the need for increased support for Zimbabwe.
