By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) – Kenyan President William Ruto, who is also the outgoing Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairperson said on Thursday regional integration is no longer a dream but an economic and strategic necessity to withstand global shocks.
He said this when he handed over the instruments of pwer in incoming chairerson Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Parliament Building in Harare, where the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit was being held.
President Ruto said the global order is shifting, with rising geopolitical tensions, returning protectionism, broken supply chains and intensifying competition for strategic resources.
“COMESA’s commitment to African integration is our answer to all these emerging challenges,” he said, adding the 21- Member States should trade more among themselves, build resilient regional value chains and deepen productive capacity.
He said Africa should change the way it engages the world, moving away from exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
“I dare say that script has run its course. We need a different composition – one market speaking with one voice, rather than 21 markets negotiating alone,” he said, adding Africa seeks new engagement with partners, rooted in sovereign equality, mutual benefit and investment, not charity.
“We do not want to be treated special, we want to be treated equal. To every partner who seeks our minerals, our markets and our young workforce, our offer is clear – invest with us, process with us, build with us,” he said.
President Ruto said Africa does not go to ask for a seat at the edge of the table, but goes to set up the table with others.
He expressed confidence in President Mnangagwa’s stewardship to turn the ambition of “One Market, One Future” into tangible progress for citizens, in line with Agenda 2063.
President Ruto took the opportunity to announce that he had introduced an African investor to President Mnangagwa today (Thursday ) who has pledged US$1.7 billion to invest in Zimbabwe.
“That is what I am talking about. The future of our region will be shaped by what we choose to build together,” he said.
New Ziana
