COMESA leaders resolve to fast-track trade digitalisation, regional integration

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have resolved to accelerate the digitalization of various trade facilitation instruments.

Among the instruments is the electronic certificates of origin, designed to enhance the participation of Member States in the Free Trade Area (FTA), and fast-track the operationalization of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA).

The resolutions were made at the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Nairobi, Kenya on October, 9, 2025, under the theme “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

Member States were also urged to eliminate visa restrictions to promote trade, investment, tourism and support value chain development in the COMESA region and the Africa Continent, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday.

President Hakainde Hichilema was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, who led the Zambian delegation which comprised senior government officials and technocrats.

The summit reviewed the state of regional integration within COMESA, assessed progress in trade facilitation, infrastructure development, and private sector growth, and adopted reports from the Council of Ministers and Foreign Affairs Ministers.

“It was also marked by the transition of the COMESA Chairmanship from Evariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi President to Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya,” reads the statement.

A significant directive of interest to Zambia was the decision to expedite the construction of the new COMESA Headquarters in Lusaka.

The summit urged the COMESA Secretariat to work closely with the Zambian government and the newly elected Chairperson, Kenya, to ensure completion of the project within one and a half years, half the previously proposed time.

“Zambia was further commended for its continued contribution to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), particularly in the police component, reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and security,” the statement said.

The summit concluded with the adoption of a Final Communiqué and a pledge by the incoming Chair, President Ruto, to champion digital transformation and deepen regional integration.

The next COMESA Summit will be hosted by Zimbabwe in 2026.

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