Online Reporter
Fungi Kwaramba, [email protected]
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 move that will see President Mnangagwa take the helm of one of Africa’s largest and most influential economic blocs.
The handover, scheduled for October 2026, will see President Mnangagwa succeed Kenya’s President William Ruto at a time when regional integration, trade and economic self-sufficiency are increasingly important priorities across the continent.
In a recent interview at State House with public media journalists, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was honoured to assume the chairmanship of COMESA, a bloc comprising 21 member states in 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.
Established in December 1994 as the successor to the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA has become a key driver of regional economic integration and trade.
With a combined population of more than 680 million people and a collective GDP of about US$1 trillion, the bloc remains one of the continent’s most significant economic groupings.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged the scale of the responsibility that comes with leading the regional body, saying Zimbabwe was prepared to play its part while working alongside its neighbours.
“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.
During its tenure at the helm of COMESA, Zimbabwe will prioritise regional economic integration and sustainable development, he said.
“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.
The President said Zimbabwe would also use its tenure to promote tourism, particularly the world-renowned Victoria Falls, while championing peace and stability as foundations for economic growth.
“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.
President Mnangagwa said he hoped Zimbabwe’s chairmanship would leave a legacy of cooperation and shared progress across 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. 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 could accelerate its industrialisation and modernisation agenda, the President said member states should leverage each other’s strengths to maximise development opportunities.
“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.
The President said Africa’s youthful population would be critical to the continent’s development ambitions.
“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”.
He urged young people to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship without fearing failure.
“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 Zimbabwe with an opportunity to showcase its agricultural strengths, tourism attractions and commitment to regional cooperation while assuming a prominent leadership role in advancing the bloc’s development agenda.
