Zimbabwe Takes COMESA Helm as Regional Trade Surges to $14 Billion
Zimbabwe Takes COMESA Helm as Regional Trade Surges to $14 Billion
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) from Kenyan President William Ruto during the bloc's 25th summit in Harare.
Key Details:
🟠Trade Growth: Intra-COMESA trade has grown sevenfold, from $2 billion in 2000 to $14 billion in 2025. Mnangagwa emphasized that the bloc must now focus on creating jobs and reducing poverty.
🟠Industrialization Push: The new chair urged African nations to transition from exporting raw minerals to processing them locally for industrial use. To achieve this, he called for long-term concessional loans to build roads and energy infrastructure and bridge the digital divide.
🟠Economic Progress: President Ruto highlighted that COMESA, which comprises 21 countries and roughly 700 million people, saw its GDP growth rise from 5.6% to 6.4% in 2024–2025. Inflation dropped from 31% to 13.2%, and total exports increased by 6% to $212 billion.
COMESA is a regional economic community of 21 African member states focused on promoting regional integration through trade and the joint development of natural and human resources
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