COMESA, in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), held a Validation and Sensitization Workshop on 27–28 May 2025 focused on reviewing the draft report of a study assessing the impact of priority non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and trade restrictions in Rwanda, particularly their impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Speaking during the…
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Central banks in the region have been urged to adopt the use of the Basel III Post Crisis reforms to strengthen resilience and stability of member countries financial systems. since COMESA Monetary Institute (CMI) Director Dr Lucas Njoroge made the call, given the vulnerability of the region’s economies to the external shocks – such as…
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The Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya (ZTK) Power Interconnector Project has officially been relaunched in Lusaka by the three participating governments, with strong backing from the World Bank, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Aimed at linking the East African Power Pool (EAPP) with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the ZTK project will create one of Africa’s…
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Noting the need to facilitate and enhance small-scale cross-border trade, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed an Interministerial Decree on 10 March 2025 to enable the implementation of the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR) on its borders with neighbouring COMESA countries. The DRC shares borders with four COMESA countries Burundi, Rwanda,…
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Members of the Programme Steering Committee for the European Union funded Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) at COMESA Secretariat and EU Delegation in Zambia met in Lusaka to review progress in implementation of the Programme. Funded under the 11th European Development Fund, the initiative continues to be a cornerstone in COMESA’s efforts to strengthen institutional…
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Malawi is scheduled to hold general elections on 16 September 2025 to elect a President, Members to the National Assembly and representatives Ward Councils to serve for a five-year period. The 2025 elections come after the previous elections in 2019 that were initially nullified by the Supreme Court. The Court besides the nullification of elections…
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Fifty staff from Central Banks in twelve COMESA countries have been trained in understanding the complex interaction between monetary policy and fintech. The comprehensive training will enable staff to provide advice for effective policy responses to the challenges and opportunities presented by fintech in the COMESA region. Organised by the COMESA Monetary Institute, the virtual…
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COMESA has launched the World Bank-funded Inclusive Digitalization for East and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme which aims to empower 180 million people with internet access and provide digitally enabled services to 100 million people over the next eight years. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science of Zambia, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, launched the programme alongside, World…
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Preparations for the development of COMESA’s 2026–2030 Medium-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) have commenced with a two-day retreat for management and technical staff in Lusaka, held on March 24–25, 2025. The retreat’s agenda focused on reviewing the performance of the current 2021–2025 MTSP, identifying successes, challenges, and key lessons to inform the next five-year plan. Leading…
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The COMESA Secretariat has learnt with deep sorrow about the passing on of Madam Monique Andreas Esoavelomandraso, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders from Madagascar. She died on Monday 17th March 2025 in Madagascar. Head of the Governance, Peace and Security Unit Dr Oita Etyang revealed that upon being appointed to the Committee…
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