Kenya will takeover rotating chairmanship of COMESA from Burundi as it looks to push for digitisation to address trade barriers.

During the 2025 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit slated for next month in Nairobi, the 21 member state trade bloc will commit to leverage technology to enhance trade competitiveness, deepen regional value chains, and foster inclusive development across member states.

“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. However, challenges persist. We must continue to work collectively to remove Non-Tariff Barriers and harmonize our policies to unlock the full potential of intra-COMESA trade,” said Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui during the signing of the Host Agreement.

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

“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,” added Kinyanjui.

COMESA Assistant Secretary General Administration and Finance Dr Dev Haman tipped digitalization to further ease inter-state trade.

“The 2025 COMESA Summit marks a critical moment for our region. By embracing digitalization, we can unlock new opportunities in trade, boost industrialization, and ensure that growth is both inclusive and sustainable,” he stated.

The high-level gathering will include Heads of State and Government, ministers, policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners from across the region to deliberate on advancing economic integration and trade.