Story by Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to strengthening regional trade and cooperation under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), pledging to advance initiatives that promote seamless integration and shared prosperity across member states.
Addressing the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, President Mnangagwa highlighted the tangible benefits Zimbabwe continues to enjoy as part of the regional bloc, from expanded market access, to improved cross-border trade, and value chain development.
“Zimbabwe acknowledges the tangible benefits derived from COMESA membership. Our businesses continue to access a wider regional market, while thousands of small-scale traders, especially women and youth, benefit from simplified trade regimes that ease cross-border commerce. COMESA’s support has seen stronger value chains, accelerated industrialisation and improved infrastructure connectivity,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is committed to the ideals of regional integration, trade liberalisation, and collective self-reliance that underpin this organisation. COMESA continues to be a relevant and vital platform for fostering multi-faceted cooperation, the pooling of resources, harmonisation of policies and promotion of intra-regional trade and investment.”
President Mnangagwa also highlighted the urgent need to address challenges such as non-tariff barriers and infrastructure gaps, a potential impediment to the realisation of full value of the COMESA framework.
“To fully unlock COMESA’s potential, non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps, and policy misalignments must be addressed. There is a need to re-double our efforts as we implement more key initiatives such as the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Zimbabwe is on a journey of economic transformation and modernisation,” President Mnangagwa said.
“My government is implementing comprehensive reforms to improve the business environment, enhance empowerment, productivity and attract investment. Industrialisation, digital transformation, and climate-resilient agriculture are among our top priority areas, all of which align with COMESA’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan. We also reaffirm our commitment to peace, security, and good governance, which are essential ingredients for sustainable development and regional integration.”
President Mnangagwa will take over as COMESA Chair next year following his recent successful tenure at the helm of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), reflecting Zimbabwe’s dedication to Pan-African institutions and its active role in promoting regional development.
