Kenya to take over Comesa chairmanship on Wednesday

Kenya will on Wednesday assume the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), with a pledge to champion a new era of regional integration anchored on digital transformation and value chain development.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced the transition during the 18th COMESA Business Forum in Nairobi, saying Kenya’s leadership will focus on using digital technology to strengthen trade, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth across member states.

“Tomorrow, Kenya is assuming the chairmanship of our organisation, COMESA. This is not a light responsibility,” Kindiki said.

“Kenya will leverage this role to champion a new era of regional integration that uses digitalization to deepen value chains for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Kenya’s assumption of the chairmanship comes as the bloc seeks to accelerate economic recovery, boost trade, and strengthen regional value chains through innovation and digital inclusion.

The Deputy President said the forum’s theme aligns closely with Kenya’s national development agenda, which prioritizes economic transformation through innovation, value addition, and regional cooperation.

He noted that the country intends to help address the long-standing challenge of low intra-African trade, which currently stands at just 15 per cent.

Kindiki emphasized that digital transformation will be key in achieving this goal.

He said Kenya will promote the adoption of digital tools to boost efficiency, reduce trade barriers, and enhance connectivity among COMESA members.

“The Summit aligns with Kenya’s digital transformation agenda, leveraging the country’s leadership in mobile money technology, digital governance, and fintech innovation,” he said.

“By leveraging digitalization, the Summit is expected to address the issue of integrating Agri-tech and digitalization into the agricultural sector.”

According to Kindiki, digitalization is not just an economic strategy but a catalyst for innovation and competitiveness.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Electronic Certificate of Origin (ECO) and smart border systems as key tools to facilitate seamless trade across the region.

“Digital transformation creates a more dynamic business environment. It catalyzes the reduction of non-tariff barriers by introducing digital solutions to trade facilitation and modernizing customs and border procedures.”

The DP said Kenya’s approach will focus on moving beyond the export of raw materials to the creation of more sophisticated, higher-value products that can be traded regionally and globally.

“This approach also seeks to create more opportunities for small and medium enterprises led by youth and women, particularly within agricultural value chains,” he added.

Kindiki expressed optimism that the COMESA bloc, through collaboration and shared vision, can achieve a more integrated and resilient regional economy.

“I am confident that by working together, we shall achieve these aspirations as a bloc and build a more integrated, resilient, and prosperous COMESA for all our people,” he said.