By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, October 22,2026 (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe was due to assume the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on Thursday at the bloc’s 25th heads of state and government summit in Harare, where focus is expected to be on easing regional trade, increasing economic co-operation and deepening integration.
The summit is being held under the theme: “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA” and brings together leaders and representatives of the bloc’s 21 member states.
Several other meetings related to the summit were held earlier, including the COMESA Green Industry Connect, the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting.
The engagements provided a platform for governments, businesses and development partners to identify practical measures for strengthening regional value chains, removing barriers to trade and creating opportunities for investment and employment.
At the COMESA Green Industry Connect on Monday, businesses, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders explored different issues related to sustainable industrial development and opportunities in circular-economy production.
Discussions focused on green value chains, including leather and textiles, plastics and packaging, electronics and electronic waste, with participants examining ways to improve resource efficiency, promote sustainable manufacturing and turn industrial waste into economic opportunities.
President Mnangagwa then officially opened the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) in an event organised in conjunction with the COMESA Business Council, ZimTrade and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
The forum brought together business leaders, investors, financial institutions, policymakers and development partners to deliberate on regional trade, investment and industrial development partners to deliberate on regional trade, investment, investment, industrial competitiveness and economic cooperation.
On Wednesday, a meeting of COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held, with Ministers examining regional peace, security and governance challenges ahead of the full summit.
The meeting considered recommendations on regional cooperation amid conflicts, political instability and other cross-border threats. Issues discussed included the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the situation in Sudan, political and security challenges in Ethiopia and Somalia and instability in Libya including concerns linked to irregular migration, human trafficking and organised crime.
During the full summit, officials said heads of state and government will deliberate on the region’s economic and political priorities.
It is during the full summit session that Kenyan President William Ruto will hand over the chairmanship of the bloc to host, President Mnangagwa.
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