By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
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Zimbabwe, 22 October 2026 - Kenya’s President William Ruto on Thursday joined leaders from 20 other member states for the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe.
President Ruto announced the new bureau of the COMESA Authority for 2026–2027.
“It is as follows: His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, as Chairperson; His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the Republic of Zambia, as Vice-Chairperson. Allow me now to hand over the instruments of power to the new Chairperson,” President Ruto stated.
Dr Ruto thanked the new Chairperson for welcoming the leaders of COMESA states to Harare, “the Sunshine City”.
“When we trade with one another, we grow together,” President Ruto said.
He added that, even in the wake of global shocks, COMESA member states remain focused, with no option but to forge ahead stronger than before.
The theme of the summit was “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
COMESA comprises 21 African nations focused on regional economic integration. The current member states are Burundi, Comoros, DR Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya and Madagascar. The others are Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Harare Summit was billed as paperless, with paper used only for collection purposes.
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema was among the leaders present. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Zambia said his attendance reflected its commitment to strengthening regional economic integration and advancing the objectives of the Grow Zambia Agenda, which seeks to stimulate economic growth, expand trade, attract investment and create opportunities for businesses and citizens.
The summit provided a platform for leaders to push for the removal of trade barriers, strengthen regional value chains and enhance connectivity among COMESA member states.
On the margins of the summit, President Ruto held bilateral meetings with regional leaders to discuss matters of mutual interest, including opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation, expand trade and investment, and advance Kenya’s development priorities.
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The 25th COMESA Summit reviewed progress on regional integration and explored priority programmes designed to accelerate economic cooperation among member states. The leaders received reports and recommendations from key COMESA policy organs, including the Council of Ministers and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, as well as outcomes from the COMESA Business Forum.
A key highlight of the summit was the transfer of leadership of the COMESA Authority from Dr Ruto to Dr Mnangagwa. The transition ushered in a new Bureau of the COMESA Authority comprising Zimbabwe as Chairperson, the Kingdom of Eswatini as Vice-Chairperson and Kenya as Rapporteur.
Dr Mnangagwa welcomed all the leaders present.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, and indeed on my own behalf, it is my pleasure to welcome you, Your Excellencies, the heads of delegations and invited guests, to our country, Zimbabwe,” Dr Mnangagwa stated.
He said Zimbabwe, home to the Mwene Mutapa Empire, was a key trading hub in years past and has continued to flourish, with its welcoming people, rich heritage and attractive tourist sites.
The Zimbabwean leader said COMESA member states are endowed with diverse resources and an aggregate market of over 600 million people. The bloc’s gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds $1 trillion.
He said the focus should be on making one market the foundation for one future.
“Regional integration must foster sustainable industrialisation and create decent employment and empowerment opportunities that leave no one and no place behind,” he said.
Zambia hosts the COMESA Secretariat and has reaffirmed its commitment to the objectives and ideals of the bloc. It has pledged to continue working closely with member states to advance the shared vision of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful region.
COMESA grew out of the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) and, over the years, has transformed into a powerhouse of integration.