Zimbabwe has assumed a prominent leadership role in regional economic affairs after President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa was handed the Chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) at the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Mt Hampden.
The chairmanship was officially transferred by Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, who led the regional bloc over the past year. His tenure was marked by efforts to advance digitalisation, strengthen regional value chains and deepen economic cooperation among COMESA member states.
For Zimbabwe, the handover represents more than a ceremonial transition. It places the country at the forefront of shaping the economic agenda of one of Africa’s largest regional trading blocs at a time when the continent is accelerating efforts to promote industrialisation, intra-African trade and investment-led growth.
As Chair of COMESA for the 2026-2027 period, President Mnangagwa will steer the organisation under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
The theme reflects growing recognition that regional integration must move beyond trade liberalisation to include industrial development, value addition, infrastructure connectivity and investment promotion. It also speaks to the need for inclusive growth that creates opportunities for businesses, farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs across member states.
Zimbabwe’s leadership comes as regional economies seek to build resilience against global economic uncertainties by expanding intra-regional trade and strengthening production networks. Greater cooperation in manufacturing, agriculture, mining and services is expected to play a key role in unlocking the region’s economic potential.
The chairmanship also offers Zimbabwe an opportunity to showcase its vision for value addition, beneficiation and industrial transformation. These priorities have consistently featured in the country’s economic policy framework and are closely aligned with COMESA’s broader objective of creating competitive regional value chains.
Business leaders and policymakers will be looking to the new Chair to champion initiatives that reduce barriers to trade, attract investment, improve infrastructure links and enhance the movement of goods, services and capital across borders.
As Zimbabwe takes up the mantle of leadership, expectations are high that its tenure will help strengthen regional integration and accelerate economic transformation throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. The challenge now is to translate the vision of “One Market, One Future” into practical outcomes that deliver growth, jobs and shared prosperity for the millions of people who call the COMESA region home.
