Author: Mwangi Gakunga

One year on, COVID-19 cases have risen by 747%

At this time last year, (September 15, 2020), COMESA region had 324,967 Covid-19 cases reported. One year on, the cases have gone up to 2,753,502 by September 14, 2021, an increase of 747%. An analysis by COMWARN shows that seven countries have contributed the bulk of the cases. They are Tunisia (685,799), Libya (325,221), Ethiopia…
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The 8th COMESA Annual Research Forum – Speeches

Speech by COMESA SG during the 8th Research Forum -13 September 2021 COMESA Annual Research Forum – Keynote address by Paul Akiwumi UNCTAD ACBF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REMARKS – COMESA 8TH ANNUAL RESEARCH FORUM

COMESA’S PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON ZAMBIA ELECTIONS – 2021

Lusaka, Saturday, August 14, 2021: COMESA Election Observer Mission to Zambia has issued its preliminary statement on the conduct of the General Elections in Zambia. The statement was issued in Lusaka today by the Mission Leader Amb. Ashraf Rashed, during a joint Press Conference with the African Union Observer Mission. COMESA PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON ZAMBIA…
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COMESA- Africa CDC joint initiative to promote vaccination in Member States

August 4, 2021: In a joint initiative to strengthen the uptake of the Covid-19 vaccines in the region, COMESA in partnership with the African Union – Centre for Disease Control is conducting a two-day experience-sharing webinar for Member States from 4 to 5 August 2021 The event is driven by the need to address the…
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COMESA, Djibouti Signs €2.5m Sub-delegation Agreement to Upgrade Galafi Border Post

July 27, 2021: The COMESA Secretariat and the Government of Djibouti have signed an agreement that sub-delegates the implementation of coordinated border management activities at the Galafi border post, on the Djibouti- Ethiopia border. A total of EUR 2.5 million is allocated to this project under the European Union funded Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP). The…
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COMESA Develops a Virtual Knowledge Management Portal on Climate Change

COMESA Secretariat through the Climate Change Programme has developed a virtual knowledge management portal. The portal is intended to promote national and regional sharing of information on diverse activities on climate action being undertaken in the region. The portal was activated on 14 July 2021 during a webinar which brought together COMESA Member States and…
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COMESA’s key targets to promote the agro-industry

Stakeholders in the agro-industry in collaboration with the COMESA Business Council (CBC) have developed a road map to be implemented from this year aimed at promoting the industry. Among the activities identified is the development of a regional anti-illicit policy and implementation framework, which will include sensitization of industry players on the need to establish…
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Covid-19 Pandemic has Aggravated Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade

COVID-19 has exacerbated the non-tariff barrier restrictions on free movement of persons, according to the Chairperson of the COMESA Business Council, Mr. Marday Venkatasamy. Speaking during the 16th CBC Board meeting conducted virtually on 1st July 2021, Mr. Venkatasamy said this was due to the emerging discriminatory practice of certain approved World Health Organization (WHO)…
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Innovation has Maintained COMESA’s Performance Trajectory

Amidst the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the implementation of the COMESA regional integration programmes has picked pace, with a notable consistent budget absorption under Member States funding on operational expenditures. According to a recent performance update by the COMESA Secretariat, there has been an upward trajectory in programme activities in the second quarter of the year…
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Access to Electricity in COMESA Region is on Average 60%

The percentage of the COMESA population with access to electricity is on average around 60%, but projections indicate that it will be around 80% by 2040. This will however depend on heavily investing in energy infrastructure in the next ten years. According to an update presented at the 10th Annual General Meeting of the Regional…
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