Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE’s hosting of the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Heads of State and Government Summit in October, coupled with President Mnangagwa’s assumption of the chairmanship of the regional bloc, is more than a prestigious diplomatic assignment.
It is a significant vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s growing role in regional affairs and a milestone in the country’s march towards Vision 2030.
Coming shortly after Zimbabwe successfully handed over the chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the COMESA chairmanship presents another important opportunity for the country to influence the regional development agenda and to demonstrate that its economic transformation is increasingly taking on a regional and continental dimension.
The 25th COMESA Summit, to be held on October 22, will run under the theme: “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
The theme could hardly be more appropriate for Zimbabwe at a time when the Government is pursuing an ambitious development trajectory to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Indeed, the three central pillars of the COMESA theme, industrialisation, investment and regional integration — dovetail neatly with the aspirations of Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 is not merely about growing the size of Zimbabwe’s economy.
It is about creating an economy capable of generating decent jobs, attracting investment, expanding industrial capacity, increasing exports, improving infrastructure and raising the standard of living of ordinary citizens.
In that regard, Zimbabwe’s assumption of the COMESA chairmanship provides a platform from which the country can advance these objectives beyond its borders.
The significance of hosting such a high-level gathering should, therefore, not be underestimated.
For a country to host 21-member States of a major regional economic community is itself a demonstration of diplomatic confidence, institutional capacity and growing stature.
COMESA, established more than three decades ago, is dedicated to promoting free trade, economic cooperation and sustainable development among its member States.
Its summit brings together the political leadership of countries with a combined market of hundreds of millions of people.
For Zimbabwe, this creates an important opportunity to showcase not only its political stability and infrastructure, but also its economic potential, investment opportunities and capacity to host major international events.
It is precisely this visibility that can translate into economic dividends.
The successful hosting of the summit will undoubtedly solidify Zimbabwe’s position as a regional economic powerhouse capable of driving growth and development within the COMESA region.
More importantly, it will provide a platform for Zimbabwe to sell its investment proposition directly to regional leaders, investors, business executives and development partners.
This is particularly important as the country seeks to attract capital into mining, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, tourism and other productive sectors.
A summit of this magnitude effectively brings the regional market to Zimbabwe’s doorstep.
The COMESA Business Forum, scheduled for October 20 ahead of the Heads of State and Government Summit, will be particularly important in this regard.
It will bring together investors, policymakers and business leaders, creating an opportunity to move discussions from political declarations to concrete investment and commercial partnerships.
This is where Zimbabwe’s preparations take on a broader significance.
Government departments are working with the COMESA Secretariat to ensure that the venue and supporting infrastructure meet the requirements of the high-level gathering.
Technical assessments are covering digital connectivity systems, transport arrangements and venue facilities, among other logistical requirements.
The New Parliament Building, which will host the summit, is receiving particular attention.
These preparations are important not simply because Zimbabwe wants to host a successful summit, but because the country is being presented with an opportunity to demonstrate its readiness to participate meaningfully in the regional and continental economy.
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had approved the hosting of the summit.
Dr Soda said the summit was aimed at advancing industrialisation, investment and regional economic integration.
His remarks underline the strategic importance the Government attaches to the gathering.
The summit is, therefore, not being treated as an event for protocol. It is being positioned as an economic and diplomatic opportunity.
That distinction matters.
Zimbabwe’s regional role has been growing steadily, with President Mnangagwa’s recent chairmanship of SADC providing a clear demonstration of the country’s increasing influence in regional affairs.
The transition from SADC chairmanship to COMESA chairmanship is particularly significant.
It means Zimbabwe will, in quick succession, has been entrusted with leadership responsibilities in two of Africa’s most important regional economic communities.
This gives the country a rare platform to influence discussions around trade, industrialisation, infrastructure, investment and regional integration.
It also strengthens Zimbabwe’s voice in the broader continental development conversation.
The COMESA chairmanship should, therefore, be viewed as an opportunity to champion practical measures that can remove barriers to trade and investment across the region.
One of the greatest challenges facing African economies remains the fragmentation of markets.
Countries may have productive industries and abundant resources, but their potential is often constrained by small domestic markets, inadequate infrastructure, cumbersome border procedures and tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The COMESA agenda provides an opportunity to tackle these challenges collectively.
For Zimbabwe, deeper regional integration can open larger markets for locally produced goods while encouraging domestic companies to improve their competitiveness.
The country’s industrialisation agenda can also benefit from regional value chains.
Zimbabwe can leverage its competitive advantages in areas such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and energy while developing partnerships with other COMESA countries.
That is the essence of the “One Market, One Future” philosophy.
