By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, October 20, 2026 (New Ziana) – The 19th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Business Forum and Exhibition convenes in Harare on Tuesday, ahead of the bloc’s heads of state and government summit later in the week.
The forum forms part of the 25th COMESA Summit, which brings together member states representing a regional market of approximately 640 million people. Discussions are expected to centre on strengthening economic cooperation, promoting regional integration and advancing intra-regional trade.
According to the organisers, one key session will examine access to affordable and appropriate financing, which is critical for businesses seeking to expand production, trade across borders and integrate into regional value chains.
“This session will consider how financial institutions, investors, development partners and policymakers can mobilise capital, reduce investment risks and widen financing opportunities for businesses of different sizes,” the organisers said.
Another session will explore ways to expand agro-processing, manufacturing and other strategic industries to stimulate job creation, build economic resilience and connect enterprises to regional and global markets.
Efficient border procedures, predictable regulations and the smooth movement of goods, services and businesspeople are also central to efforts to deepen COMESA market integration. To address these issues, the organisers said a dedicated session would bring together ministers responsible for trade and industry, COMESA representatives and private sector stakeholders.
“It will be a wide-ranging ministerial dialogue across the full trade and competitiveness agenda: non-tariff barriers, movement of businesspersons, transport corridor resilience, regulatory convergence and digital trade systems to agree practical actions that reduce the cost of doing business and unlock greater intra-regional trade,” the organisers said.
The forum’s third session will focus on expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), data and digital trade infrastructure, as technology continues to transform business operations, cross-border commerce, access to finance and customer engagement.
“This session will explore how digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and data-driven innovation can strengthen productivity, improve competitiveness and enable COMESA enterprises to participate more effectively in the regional and global economy,” the organisers added.
As preparations continue for Thursday’s Summit of Heads of State and Government, attention is on translating regional commitments into tangible results that boost trade, strengthen industrial value chains and attract investment across member states.
The summit is expected to conclude with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa assuming the COMESA chairmanship from Kenyan President William Ruto.
New Ziana
