The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has accomplished remarkable milestones in both regional and international trade. From US$100 billion in 2000 to an incredible US$219 billion in 2023, the market’s worldwide export value increased by 210 percent. Additionally, intra-COMESA exports have grown significantly, rising from $10 billion in 2020 to $14 billion in 2022, a 40 percent increase. The COVID-19 pandemic and recurrent droughts that affected member states were among the obstacles that prevented these outstanding accomplishments.
During the 45th Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia, Acting Minister of Commerce, Trade, and Industry Rodney Sikumba commended COMESA’s resilience and its contributions to fostering regional integration and trade facilitation. Sikumba noted the importance of COMESA’s trade facilitation programs, including small-scale cross-border trade initiatives and the adoption of electronic tools that simplify and enhance trade management. These efforts reflect the bloc’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation among its 21 member states.
COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Kapwepwe highlighted the significance of the organization’s trade facilitation instruments in overcoming trade barriers, promoting intra-regional trade, and attracting investment. Kapwepwe credited the progress made to strong partnerships with development organizations such as the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, Afrexim Bank, UNCTAD, and the World Customs Organization. These collaborations have provided financial and technical support to accelerate COMESA’s development goals.
One of COMESA’s flagship initiatives is the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), which is designed to support small-scale cross-border traders. These traders are crucial to the bloc’s economy as they contribute significantly to intra-regional trade while creating employment and income opportunities, especially for women and youth. Currently, eight member states—Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—are implementing the STR, making it a key driver of regional trade.
Kapwepwe also announced the forthcoming launch of the COMESA Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) in Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia as part of the 30th-anniversary celebrations. This innovative tool offers a fully digitalized process for applying, issuing, exchanging, and verifying certificates of origin. By streamlining trade procedures, the e-CO aims to make transactions more seamless, cost-effective, secure, and environmentally friendly. The introduction of the e-CO marks a significant step towards modernizing trade practices and further integrating member states into the global economy.
The accomplishments of COMESA highlight its critical role in fostering regional economic integration and progress, notwithstanding persistent obstacles. Building an open and resilient economic community is demonstrated by the bloc’s emphasis on utilizing technology, establishing alliances, and aiding small-scale traders. COMESA is empowering marginalized communities within its member states and improving trade efficiency by giving priority to initiatives like the STR and e-CO.
The success of COMESA in reaching these milestones as it marks 30 years of existence is a testament to the combined efforts of its member nations and development partners. The union will surely solidify its position as a leader in regional integration and international commerce if it keeps putting an emphasis on trade facilitation, innovation, and inclusivity.