COMESA has embarked on a new phase of strategic development for its flagship Yellow Card Scheme, with the launch of a regional consultative process aimed at shaping the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. This initiative marks a key milestone in the continued evolution of the Scheme, which plays a central role in facilitating cross-border vehicle movement and regional trade integration.

Council of Bureaux Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Mr Calven Mutyavaviri said the Yellow Card Scheme continues to evolve through ongoing policy refinement, stakeholder engagement and regional cooperation.

He was speaking during a three-day consultative forum held 3-5 June 2025 in Lusaka to engage stakeholders from across the region in defining the Scheme’s strategic vision, priorities and performance goals for the next five years.

The upcoming plan builds on the foundations laid by the 2018-2022 and 2020-2024 strategic plans, both of which are the result of broad-based consultations across COMESA Member States.

In a major step toward institutional strengthening, the COMESA Council of Ministers in 2022 approved the transformation of the Yellow Card’s Council of Bureaux into an autonomous institution, supported by a fully dedicated secretariat.