Kenya will host the 2025 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi October 7–9, 2025.

The high-level gathering is set to draw Heads of State and Government, ministers, policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners from across the region to deliberate on deepening economic integration and boosting intra-African trade.

Speaking at the Host Agreement signing, Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the summit placed Kenya at the center of key regional conversations.

“As a region, we have made significant strides, including the recent entry into force of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area, which creates Africa’s largest integrated market,” said Kinyanjui.

But he called for unity of purpose to remove Non-Tariff Barriers and harmonization of policies to unlock the full potential of intra-COMESA trade to tackle persisting challenges.

“The work ahead is not for one nation alone: it requires the sustained political will and concerted effort of all our member states to ensure that the resolutions we adopt translate into tangible benefits for our people,” he added.

The 2025 Summit will run under the theme: “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

It underscores COMESA’s ambition to harness technology to enhance competitiveness, foster industrialization, and build stronger regional value chains that deliver inclusive prosperity.

On his part, COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Administration and Finance, Dr Dev Haman, highlighted the transformative opportunity ahead.

“The 2025 COMESA Summit marks a critical moment for our region,” indicated Dr Haman.

He added: “By embracing digitalization, we can unlock new opportunities in trade, boost industrialization, and ensure that growth is both inclusive and sustainable.”

The Summit will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum, a unique platform for the private sector to engage regional leaders on trade, investment, and innovation.

For business leaders, this Forum represents a golden opportunity to shape the agenda for integration and secure a voice in conversations around value chains, market access, and technology adoption.

As the host nation, Kenya will assume the rotating Chair of COMESA from Burundi for the 2025/2026 term, a milestone that strengthens its leadership role in setting the bloc’s policy priorities.

It is also a strategic boost for Nairobi, reinforcing its growing influence in regional and continental economic affairs at a time when Africa is pushing to consolidate its fragmented markets into a more seamless trading space.

For Kenya, hosting COMESA’s flagship event is also a platform to showcase the country’s economic dynamism, digital innovation, and strategic role as a gateway to Africa.

Nairobi has steadily positioned itself as a hub for financial services, technology, and logistics, making it an ideal stage for deliberations that will shape the continent’s next growth phase.

The Summit is set to attract diverse stakeholders, including the public and private sectors, civil society, and international partners, all working collectively to advance COMESA’s mission of deeper integration and shared prosperity.

Beyond speeches and declarations, the challenge will be translating commitments into action: removing persistent trade barriers, aligning policies, and creating a more predictable business environment across the 21-member bloc.

For businesses, investors, and innovators, the Nairobi Summit offers more than just policy discussions; it represents new pathways for growth in one of the world’s fastest-changing economic regions.

By hosting this pivotal event, Kenya positions itself at the heart of regional decision-making, driving the future of cross-border trade, investment, and digital transformation in Africa.