By Zachary Gava
Harare, October 22, 2026 (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on African countries to turn their vast natural resources into engines of industrialization, job creation and shared prosperity, declaring that the continent must take charge of its economic transformation through local processing and stronger regional cooperation.
He made the call soon after receiving the “Tools of Power” from outgoing COMESA Authority of Heads of State and Government chairperson, Kenyan President William Ruto, at the 25th COMESA Summit on Thursday.
Addressing fellow Heads of State and Government, President Mnangagwa said the region’s resource endowment should translate into tangible economic benefits for its people rather than remain an untapped source of wealth.
“The natural endowments of Africa must industrialize our economies, create jobs and improve the quality of life of our own peoples,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe will use its chairmanship to advance inclusive industrialization, investment and regional integration, in line with the summit’s theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialization, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA”.
President Mnangagwa said the theme underscored the need for interconnected markets, stronger productive capacity and collective efforts to modernize regional economies.
“Our common market must enable enterprises to produce at scale, facilitate cross-border movement of factors of production and reach new customers,” he said.
He thanked President Ruto for his leadership of COMESA, particularly in advancing digitalization and regional value chains, and pledged to work with all member states to consolidate the bloc’s achievements.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will champion initiatives focusing on agro-processing, cross-border agricultural and industrial parks, coordinated supply chains and climate-proofing the agricultural sector.
He cited Zimbabwe’s experience in promoting local processing of natural resources, saying the country had witnessed increased value from its minerals through policies aimed at beneficiation.
He urged member states to pursue similar strategies to ensure Africa’s natural wealth supports economic development, creates employment and improves livelihoods.
The new COMESA Chairperson also called for stronger support for women, young entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises, noting that their participation was critical to building an inclusive regional economy.
He said removing non-tariff barriers, addressing infrastructure gaps, harmonizing policies and simplifying border procedures would make trade more efficient, while digital systems and emerging technologies could facilitate the movement of goods and services across borders.
President Mnangagwa said regional integration also required innovative financing models to fund roads, railways, energy infrastructure and digital networks without placing unsustainable burdens on national economies.
“It is now critically important to think outside the box on development financing models that will help bypass high borrowing costs and heavy debt obligations,” he said.
He stressed that integration should benefit all citizens, including small-scale traders, rural communities, women, young people and persons with disabilities.
On peace and security, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to preventive diplomacy, dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, saying transnational threats must be addressed to safeguard regional prosperity.
He also pledged Zimbabwe’s support for implementing COMESA’s 2026-2030 Medium-Term Strategic Plan, emphasizing clear results, regular reporting and accountability within the organization.
The President commended participants at the COMESA Green Industries Connect and the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition for bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators to explore opportunities for regional cooperation.
He said recommendations from the private sector should inform the bloc’s implementation priorities to ensure policies responded to actual market needs.
He invoked a local proverb whose message was that nations must be built and developed by their own people, drawing a parallel with the need for African countries to drive their own economic transformation.
“Brick by brick, stone upon stone, step by step, let us continue building integrated, productive, inclusive and prosperous communities, plus economies which we all want and indeed deserve,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s chairmanship comes as COMESA seeks to deepen economic integration, expand intra-regional trade and strengthen cooperation among its member states. The bloc’s new strategic plan is expected to provide a framework for advancing industrialization, investment and the development of regional value chains over the coming years.
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