This article provides an exposition of potential trade effects and mitigation measures of the COVID-19 in COMESA. The COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA), which was launched in 2000 has experienced a tremendous growth as evidenced by the growth of intra-COMESA trade from US$ 1.5 billion to 10.3 billion dollars in 2018. Today, these efforts and…
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The COMESA region represents 29.19% (34,606) of the total cases reported in Africa (118,535). While some of the Member States reported a surge in the number of new cases in the earlier stages, these numbers have reduced and in some cases such as Eritrea, Mauritius and Seychelles have reported zero active cases for a while.…
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Lusaka, May 26, 2020: COMESA has received 5, 000 surgical masks worth $4,500 from the International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP). The masks will support small scale cross border traders at selected border posts for COVID-19 prevention. Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe received the masks in Lusaka, Tuesday 26 May from Mr. Jerro Zhou of…
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Chairperson, Distinguished Honourable Ministers, Chief Executives of COMESA Institutions Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to have this opportunity to make a few remarks at the opening of this Meeting, which for the first time is being held online due to the new ways of working brought about by the effects of the Coronavirus…
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Chairperson, Distinguished Permanent/Principal Secretaries, Distinguished Delegates, My Colleagues Chief Executives of COMESA Institutions My Colleagues Assistant Secretaries General Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning. It is my singular honor and privilege to have this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of this meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee. Allow me at the very outset…
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May 24, 2020: Since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in the Great Lakes region in mid-March 2020, small scale traders have been unable to cross borders as they have traditionally done either to buy or sell goods. The regional supply of primary agricultural commodities, most of which are traded under the Simplified Trade Regime…
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Lusaka, May 24, 2020: Corona-virus preventive measures taken by various Member States including testing, quarantines and restrictions of gatherings along border points have made it almost impossible for cross-border transactions to take place normally. Clearance of cargo has also been tremendously slowed down leading to long queues hindering supply of essential pharmaceuticals and food items. As…
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Lusaka, May 22, 2020: COMESA region currently has the lowest electricity generation with approximately 630 million people living without reliable access to electricity and 790 million people forced to rely on solid biomass to cook their food and heat their homes. Studies show that about 1.3 billion people worldwide still lack access to modern energy. However,…
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Lusaka, May 26, 2020: The International Monetary Fund projects that the global economy will contract by 3% in 2020 much worse than during the global financial crisis and grow by 5.8% in 2021, assuming that the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020 and containment measures are lifted. Sub Saharan Africa is projected to contract…
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Lusaka, May 26, 2020: The International Monetary Fund projects that the global economy will contract by 3% in 2020 much worse than during the global financial crisis and grow by 5.8% in 2021, assuming that the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020 and containment measures are lifted. Sub Saharan Africa is projected to…
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