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New US Tariffs – Eight COMESA Countries to Record Decreased Trade Volumes
Lusaka, Zambia Friday, 25 April 2025 – The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat has announced that eight of its Member States are set to encounter serious[…]
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New US Tariffs Expected to Impact Trade for Eight COMESA Countries
Eight COMESA countries are expected to face significant trade challenges due to new reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States government. According to a policy brief by COMESA’s Division of[…]
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COMESA Holds Regional Workshop on Cumulation of Origin
A Joint COMESA – World Customs Organisation virtual regional workshop was held from Tuesday April 22 – 24 to review the application of Cumulation of Origin protocols between the African[…]
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India and COMESA Reaffirm Relations
COMESA Secretariat and the Government of India have committed to strengthen relations by opening up new channels of trade, support and collaboration through a renewed Memorandum of Understanding replacing the[…]
Read moreGuidelines for Movement of Goods and Services Across the COMESA Region During the Covid-19 Pandemic
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COMESA INSTITUTIONS
An integral component of the COMESA success narrative has been its institutions. These are needs-based and respond to very specific niches in the region. In addition to providing expertise in specific areas, the institutions are involved in skills development and extensive market research that allows them to link evidence to their decision-making processes. To support the integration program, COMESA has established financial institutions to provide not just the much needed credit (the Trade and Development Bank), but also to provide insurance for non-commercial risks (the African Trade Insurance Agency), re-insurance (ZEP-Re (PTA) Reinsurance Company) and to facilitate international payments (the Regional Payment and Settlement System), and to underpin competition in the region (the COMESA Competition Commission).
LEARN MOREOverview of COMESA
The history of COMESA began in December 1994 when it was formed to replace the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) which had existed from the earlier days of 1981. COMESA (as defined by its Treaty) was established…
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Our Programmes
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) comprises 21 African Member States that came together with the aim of promoting regional integration through trade and the development of natural and human resources for the mutual benefit of all people in the region.
Infrastructure
Development
COMESA has recognized infrastructure development as a priority and strategic focus area that requires…
Agriculture, Industry & Private Sector Development
The Mandate of the Industry and Agriculture Division is to promote development of….
Trade &
Customs Services
The main function of the division is to implement programmes to enhance cooperation in Trade…
Gender & Social Affairs
The Gender and Social Affairs Division in the COMESA Secretariat exists to promote and provide leadership…..
COMESA @25 – The Journey of Integration
COMESA, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, was established on 8 December 1994 as the successor to the Preferential Trade Area (PTA). This video brings the story of how it all began, the milestones in COMESA’s 25 years journey of integration, captured through the voices of a cross section of stakeholders
Development Partners
