Nairobi Comesa summit to boost intra-African trade, open up markets
Enterprise
By
Sofia Ali
| Sep 03, 2025
Kenya is preparing to host the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Summit in October, at a pivotal moment for regional economic cooperation and diplomacy.
The summit, which will bring together Heads of State and Governments from the 21 Comesa member countries, aims to strengthen economic integration and promote sustainable development across the region.
The Comesa Summit comes at a time when intra-African trade is showing promising growth, with trade reaching about Sh14.4 trillion in 2024, up from Sh13.4 trillion in the previous year, a 7.7 per cent growth.
Principal Secretary for Trade and Investment Regina Ombam said the summit has a critical role in advancing regional cooperation. “Comesa markets are set up for economic integration, enabling better and more trade while ensuring every country remains sovereign in itself,” she said. She also pointed to the need to strengthen intra-African trade, which has historically been overshadowed by external partnerships. “We don’t want to send things out in raw form; we want to do value addition for more competitiveness,” Regina explained, highlighting Special Economic Zones and the Export Processing Zones Authority as frontrunners in this effort.
READ MORE
Inside Ruto's new Sh206b JKIA upgrade plan after Adani deal flop
Chaii Republic unveils cultural tea hub in Nairobi
Kenyan governors pitch regional mega-projects at African trade forum
Insurance regulator orders frequent audits on high-risk clients
Blow to KRA as court suspends new prices for small cars
Pwani Oil unveils lotion range as it eyes personal care
State moves to rein in wayward telcos with new competition rules
Accountability is imperative at the Africa Climate Summit
KRA recovers Sh123 million in rice tax fraud probe
Outgoing Afreximbank boss roots for Africa's economic independence
These zones are being positioned as pilots for integration success, with one economic zone targeted to demonstrate broader potential. The approach extends beyond mere setup, adopting a holistic view that includes power, infrastructure, and logistics to create sustainable ecosystems.
The summit also unfolds against the backdrop of shifting global trade dynamics. The Trump administration in the United States has imposed new tariffs on a wide range of imports, signaling a more protectionist stance that could reshape Africa’s trade strategies.