Online Reporter
Fungi Kwaramba-National Editor
ZIMBABWE is set to make history next month when it officially assumes the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a position that will see President Mnangagwa take over the reins of one of Africa’s largest and most influential economic blocs.
The handover, slated for next month, will see President Mnangagwa succeed his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, at a time when regional integration and economic self-sufficiency have become pressing priorities for the continent.
In an interview at State House with public media journalists recently, the President said Zimbabwe was honoured to take the Chairmanship of COMESA, a body of 21 member-states spanning Eastern and Southern Africa.
“First and foremost, I say to my colleagues, Heads of State and Government, they are welcome. Zimbabwe is looking forward to receiving them with warm hearts.
“We believe that they will not regret spending time in Zimbabwe. We are ready to give our best for this summit. Zimbabwe will be honoured to assume the chairmanship of COMESA from October 2026,” said the President.
Formed in December 1994 as a successor to the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA has been the driving regional economic engine for Southern and Eastern African countries.
With a combined population exceeding 680 million and a collective GDP of approximately US$1 trillion, the bloc represents an economic force on the continent.
The President said taking the leadership of such a body is no easy task, but Zimbabwe is ready to provide the leadership, particularly in its areas of expertise, agriculture.
“It is not a minor responsibility. It’s a very huge subcontinental duty. We, with humility, accept this responsibility. I have no doubt that the burden will not be that of Zimbabwe alone. It shall continue to be a collective burden of SADC. I will never consider that this Chairmanship is solely a chairmanship for Zimbabwe, but I share it with my colleagues in SADC,” said the President.
“We believe that they will not regret spending time in Zimbabwe. We are ready to give our best for this summit. Zimbabwe will be honoured to assume the chairmanship of COMESA from October 2026,” said the President.
During its tenure as chair of Comesa, the President added that Zimbabwe will advance regional economic integration and sustainable development.
“I believe that together as a community, not only as SADC, but perhaps as Comesa, we need to promote first and foremost food security in our respective jurisdictions and countries. Zimbabwe is lucky. We are endowed with a very progressive agricultural setup.
“We are food secure and we are willing to share our expertise in that subsector of the economy, agriculture. Basically, we are an agricultural country and our economy is basically agricultural. Our growth trajectory is sustained mainly by our agricultural performance. So we believe that from that standpoint, we are a strong economic participant in the region,” he said.
That aside, the President said Zimbabwe will continue to market its beauty to the world, particularly the world-famous Victoria Falls, and also promote peace and stability for economic prosperity.
“I have no doubt that the rest of us, both in SADC and Comesa, have the will, capacity, and endeavour to make
our region peaceful, progressive, and we cooperate. Each of our member states have our separate strengths. We in Zimbabwe, we have strength in the agricultural sector. So we contribute more in this basket of countries in the area of agriculture.
“Others contribute more, like Zambia, in the mining sector. They are very good in mining, copper, and so on. And various specialities in various countries. But as Zimbabwe, I think we are better known for our agricultural sector,” he said.
The President said he envisages leaving a legacy of cooperation in the region.
“The success of our chairmanship will depend on the support we receive from member states. It is not our individual acumen, wisdom, or credibility that makes our chairmanship memorable.
The President said he envisages leaving a legacy of cooperation in the region.
“Our chairmanship will depend on how much support we get from member states. I have no doubt that we enjoy good relations with the entire community of SADC and Comesa. We are able to interact without any constraints during our period,” he said.
Asked how Africa can leapfrog its development towards industrialisation and modernisation, the President said member states should tap into each other’s strengths for optimisation of development.
“I can speak more confidently for Sadc region. In the Sadc region, I believe that our strength is in agriculture. Yes, we have member states in SADC that are well industrialised. But critically, we are better suited to champion our agricultural sectors in the region. And in the African continent, the better part of the population is the young generation,” he said.
To achieve this, the President said Africa must harness its youthful population dividend.
“If I have to be honest, I would want to see the young generation respecting the elder generation, first and foremost. Secondly, I would like to see a young generation that is adventurous, that wishes to break new ground. We should not just continue to follow and walk on the path trodden by us, the elders. They should break new ground and create their own achievements as a younger generation. Then we will die a happy older generation”.
Young people, he said, should be ready to make interventions and startups.
“In a sense, you are talking about the young generation which breaks new ground, makes mistakes, and sometimes makes good things. They shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s only through trying and failing that the country moves forward,” he said.
The upcoming COMESA summit presents a significant opportunity for the country to showcase its agricultural prowess, tourism potential and commitment to pan-African cooperation.
