COMESA Business Council calls for stronger regional business support systems

The COMESA Business Council (CBC) has emphasized the need for improved business support systems and harmonized registration processes across the region to enhance trade, particularly for enterprises outside capital cities.

Speaking during an interactive roundtable: AfCFTA agreement implementation–experiences, bottlenecks, and opportunities, CBC Business Policy Programmes Manager, Kudzai Madzivanyika, said many businesses face challenges with information flow, capacity, and regulatory requirements, which hinders their ability to grow and compete effectively.

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“One of the key concerns raised by businesses was the difficulty in accessing information and support beyond capital cities. Enterprises need reliable systems that allow them to register and operate efficiently, regardless of location. This is critical if we want to build inclusive growth across the region,” she said.

Madzivanyika highlighted that varying registration and compliance requirements among member states often increased costs and slowed down the process of setting up businesses.

“We are encouraging member states to implement single systems that simplify registration, reduce costs, and enable online submissions.

“Some countries have already made progress in this area, while others are still behind. For us at CBC, this is an important area of advocacy,” she explained.

Madzivanyika added that access to accurate market information remained a major gap for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“We need to strengthen regional platforms that provide timely and reliable market information. This will allow businesses, especially SMEs, to identify opportunities, connect with partners, and trade more effectively across borders,” she said.

According to Madzivanyika, CBC continues to work with business associations and governments to address these challenges and create a more enabling environment for regional trade and investment.

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