COMESA Secretariat and Ecobank Zambia have reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional integration, sustainable development and strengthened cooperation within the 21-member trade and development bloc.

During a meeting held on Thursday, 19 February 2026 at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka, Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe and Ecobank Zambia Managing Director Aina Wright Moore focused their discussions on strengthening partnerships, promoting coordinated action and leveraging institutional expertise to advance regional priorities.

Discussions focused on strengthening institutional partnerships, promoting coordinated action and leveraging respective expertise to advance regional priorities. The engagement highlighted the important role of financial institutions in supporting trade facilitation, enhancing economic resilience and contributing to inclusive regional growth.

Both institutions pledged to collaborate in strengthening trade, promoting economic resilience and driving inclusive regional development. The dialogue further explored opportunities for strategic partnership in areas aligned with COMESA’s regional integration agenda.

Secretary General Kapwepwe expressed appreciation for the engagement and reiterated COMESA’s readiness to work closely with Ecobank Zambia as a strategic partner in advancing shared objectives. “Strengthening our partnership with Ecobank is essential to advancing our regional integration agenda. A resilient financial sector plays a pivotal role in facilitating cross-border trade, unlocking investment, and supporting sustainable economic transformation across the COMESA region,” she added. 

The Ecobank conveyed the Bank’s commitment to supporting COMESA’s mandate and contributing to regional economic development efforts. “By enhancing access to finance, strengthening payment systems and promoting intra-African trade solutions, we are contributing to a more integrated and competitive regional economy,” She said.

Assistant Secretary General for Administration and Finance Dev Haman and staff from the Division of Budget and Finance also attended the meeting.

COMESA remains committed in fostering productive partnerships that strengthen regional integration and promote sustainable economic transformation across the region.