By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on COMESA member states to dismantle trade barriers, modernize customs systems and translate regional integration commitments into tangible economic benefits as Zimbabwe assumes the chairmanship of the regional bloc for the next year.
Closing the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government at the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said the success of the regional grouping would be measured by the trade generated, investments mobilized, industries established and jobs created across the region.
President Mnangagwa took over the chairmanship of the COMESA Authority from Kenyan President William Ruto, who led the regional bloc during the past year.
He said member states should move beyond adopting resolutions and focus on implementing measures that improve the livelihoods of their citizens.
“Our deliberations have reaffirmed that regional integration must be measured not only by decisions we adopt, but more importantly, by the trade we generate, investments we mobilize, industries we establish, jobs we create, and the livelihoods which we improve,” he said.
The summit identified the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, cumbersome customs procedures and outdated manual systems at border posts as urgent priorities for accelerating regional trade and economic integration.
President Mnangagwa said these obstacles continued to constrain the movement of goods and undermine the efforts of the bloc to establish an efficient regional market.
He challenged member states to build an economy that produces more of what it consumes, adds value to its natural resources and strengthens its competitiveness in global markets.
The summit also underscored the importance of private sector participation in driving regional integration, with President Mnangagwa identifying miners, farmers, manufacturers, traders, entrepreneurs, ICT specialists, innovators and investors as key players in converting the region’s economic potential into productive activity.
He urged governments to create an enabling environment for businesses to grow and ensure that the benefits of integration reached producers, investors, consumers and communities across the region.
The meeting reviewed progress under COMESA’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030 and considered measures to advance trade, investment and industrialization amid a changing global economic environment.
President Mnangagwa welcomed the summit communique, but said the real test would be the implementation of the resolutions through concrete programmes and viable projects.
“As Chairperson of the COMESA Authority, Zimbabwe will work with all member states to strengthen implementation, monitoring and accountability,” he said.
He called on Ministers, the COMESA Secretariat, national institutions and citizens to turn the shared ambitions of the bloc into practical action, stressing that the responsibility for building a resilient and prosperous regional economy rested with all member states.
The 25th COMESA summit brought together regional leaders to assess progress towards economic integration and identify priorities for strengthening trade, investment and industrial development across the 21-member bloc.
President Mnangagwa paid tribute to President Ruto for his contribution to COMESA’s integration agenda and expressed gratitude to the Secretariat, government officials, technical teams and partners who supported the summit, as well as Zimbabweans for their hospitality to the delegates.
New Ziana
