The COMESA Secretariat hosted technical meetings with teams from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to discuss coordination arrangements, value chain selection processes, and the next phase of the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme. The engagements brought together technical experts and COMESA staff to build a shared roadmap that aligns with regional priorities and continental trade ambitions.
The ATCMA Programme, a €200 million European Union-funded initiative jointly implemented by UNIDO and ITC seeks to enhance intra-African and EU-Africa trade by tackling key market access challenges, improving export competitiveness and strengthen the capacities of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. COMESA’s participation marks an important regional effort to amplify trade and industrial development in Eastern and Southern Africa, in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives.
During the meeting, participants reviewed the coordination framework for programme implementation and discussed methodologies for identifying priority value chains that will underpin targeted interventions to promote regional competitiveness. The collaboration aims to ensure that selected value chains demonstrate competitive advantage, inclusive growth potential, and strong linkages to continental and EU markets. Technical partners also shared insights on strategies to strengthen quality infrastructure, reduce trade barriers, and enhance SME participation in regional and global markets.
The meeting reflected the joint commitment of COMESA and its institutions, UNIDO, and ITC to work as “One Programme” and deliver practical solutions that address trade obstacles and unlock opportunities for enterprise growth and employment across the COMESA region. This collaboration builds on longstanding partnerships and aligns with COMESA’s broader mandate to promote regional integration, industrial productivity and value addition within member states.
As the ATCMA Programme progresses, subsequent consultations and technical exchanges will refine implementation plans and strengthen synergies between regional and continental priorities reinforcing COMESA’s role as a key driver of sustainable trade-led development in Africa.