COMESA Secretariat

Burundi and DRC Launch Implementation of Simplified Trade Regime On October 30, 2024, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) at their shared border crossing of Gatumba-Kavimvira. The ceremony was presided over by Burundi's Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry, and Tourism, Hon. Marie Chantal Nijimbere, alongside DRC’s Minister of Foreign Trade, H.E. Julien Paluku Kahongya, marking a significant milestone in facilitating small-scale cross-border trade between the two nations. The COMESA-STR, an initiative by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), is designed to promote trade for small-scale traders by simplifying clearing procedures and reducing trading costs. The program allows traders to benefit from customs duty exemptions (COMESA Preferential Treatment) for goods listed on the Common Lists, making trade more accessible and affordable for smaller quantities. Burundi and the DRC are among eight countries benefiting from STR implementation at various border posts. This initiative is part of the World Bank-funded Great Lakes Trade Facilitation and Integration Project, which aims to boost trade and integration in the Great Lakes Region of Eastern Africa through COMESA. COMESA’s Assistant Secretary General in charge of Programmes, Dr. Mohammed Kadar, commended both countries for their efforts, noting the essential role small-scale traders play in meeting consumer demands across borders. The event was also attended by government officials from both countries, local leaders, World Bank representatives, and COMESA staff, including Dr. Dev Haman, Assistant Secretary General for Administration and Finance.

Foreign Affairs Ministers meet in Burundi – Regional Security in focus Ministers of foreign affairs of COMESA Member States concluded their one-day meeting in Bujumbura, Tuesday, 29 October 2024 with peace and security issues in focus. Setting the tone of the meeting, Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, said despite achievements recorded in the status of peace, security and stability during the past one, the region still faces some peace and security challenges. Hon Lufuma who was, representing the outgoing chair of the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mulambe Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia, cited increased number of countries that have conducted national multistakeholder consultations on the COMESA Structural Vulnerability Assessment which has risen to ten. The number of countries that have volunteered for the Country Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment has increased to three and peaceful elections have been held in Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Egypt, DR Congo, Comoros, Rwanda and Tunisia. “Despite this progress and achievements, our region still faces some peace and security challenges,” Hon Lufuma said. “The conflict in Sudan is still on going with serious humanitarian crisis. The same is with the situation in Eastern DR Congo and Libya.” Climate change also featured prominently in the meeting as a major challenge that the region continues to face. Specifically, the devastating drought facing the southern Africa region was identified as having serious ramifications on agriculture, power and water supply, which has had a spillover effect on the economy. This meeting comes ahead of the 23rd COMESA Heads of State and Governments Summit to be held on 31st October 2024 where Zambia will hand over the Chair of the COMESA Authority to Burundi. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe highlighted key interventions in place including the enhancement of early warning capabilities, addressing the root causes of conflicts, supporting conflict prevention and management, countering violent extremism and terrorism, combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, contributing to post-conflict reconstruction and development. The in-coming Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs Hon Albert Shingiro of Burundi pledged his government’s commitment to enhancing peace, security and stability in the region. He said the country will work will all Member States during Burundis’ tenure to advance ideals of regional integration with peace being vital for any trade and development to occur.

🌍 **Exciting News!** 🌍   The **COMESA Community of Practice (CoP)** Online Platform has officially been launched by Member States! 🎉   This platform, hosted under the COMESA website, is designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance the business and investment environment for value chain development across the region.   💡 The CoP will serve as a valuable resource for: - Member States - The private sector - Investment stakeholders interested in private sector reforms   On this interactive platform, users will be able to: ✅ Access up-to-date best practices for improving business and investment climates ✅ Engage, exchange ideas, and share experiences ✅ Discuss investment-related information and strategies   We are looking forward to seeing this platform drive positive change and growth in the region's investment landscape!   🔗 https://cicop.comesa.int   #COMESA #Investment #BusinessDevelopment #ValueChain #CommunityOfPractice #PrivateSectorReforms #InvestmentClimate #Collaboration #Innovation

🌍 **Key Milestone for COMESA Investment Framework: Revised CCIA Validation in Cairo** 🌍 Today, representatives from the Ministries responsible for Investments and National Investment Promotion Agencies (NIPAs) across COMESA Member States are gathered in Cairo to validate the revised COMESA Common Investment Agreement (CCIA). This critical session, running from September 30 to October 1, 2024, marks a significant step towards strengthening the region's business environment and attracting investments. The CCIA, originally adopted in 2007, faced challenges with ratification and domestication due to limited resources, the pandemic’s impact, and changing governmental priorities. However, renewed efforts by the COMESA Secretariat, with support from the European Union through RECAMP, have reignited momentum, with six Member States—DRC, Eswatini, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—expressing interest in advancing the process. As highlighted by COMESA’s Assistant Secretary General, Amb. Dr. Mohamed Kadah, the region’s future depends on **bold investments in infrastructure, energy, agro-processing, and industrialization**, with a focus on **strategic regional value chains**. Amb. Aboubakr Hefny Mahmoud, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the collective vision: "By uniting, we can unlock immense potentials and elevate our standing in regional and global marketplaces." This collaboration signals a new chapter for investment in COMESA. 💼📈 #Investment #COMESA #CCIA #EconomicDevelopment #FDI #RegionalIntegration #Infrastructure

🔍 Validation Workshop Kicks Off in Matsapha, Eswatini 📊 Tuesday, September 25, representatives from member states, RECs, and regional bodies convened to review the draft report of a pivotal study on Authorisation, Universal Service, and E-Waste Management. This study, conducted under the Enhancement of Governance and Enabling Environment in the ICT Sector (EGEE-ICT) Programme, is a crucial step towards improving the ICT landscape in the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region. EGEE-ICT programme is funded by the European Union. The workshop, officially opened by Mr. Phesheya Dube, Principal Secretary of Eswatini's Ministry of ICT, will run from 24-26 September 2024. 💡 Promoting sustainable ICT practices and ensuring access for all! 🌍💻 #ICT #eWasteManagement #Sustainability #UniversalService #Governance #DigitalTransformation #Eswatini #EU

The 2nd #InnovateforClimate (I4C) Conference has officially commenced in Berlin, hosted by COMESA in partnership with the #WorldBank. From September 10-13, 2024, this pivotal event brings together over 500 delegates from both public and private sectors to collaborate on advancing climate action. Axel Van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director at the World Bank, opened the conference with a powerful message: "We are at a pivotal moment in history where the call for enhanced resource mobilization cannot be overstated." Leading the #COMESA delegation, Assistant Secretary General in Charge of Programmes, Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Kadah noted the conference's significance in fostering knowledge exchange and partnership building. "Our goal is to accelerate energy access and create a sustainable future for all member states," he stated. With workshops, a Mini-Expo of Digital Solutions, and the exclusive ASCENT Carbon Day on the agenda, this conference is set to inspire actionable change in the field of climate action. Follow along for key insights and developments! #I4C2024 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #COMESA #WorldBank

To celebrate 30 years of existence, COMESA will host a Golf Tournament to promote regional cooperation and raise awareness of trade and investment opportunities within member states.

Energy Experts Push for Improved Electricity Regulations in COMESA ⚡ Regional energy experts and stakeholders have gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a three-day workshop to validate frameworks for harmonized electricity tariffs and cost reflectivity assessments across the COMESA region. The initiative, approved by the African Development Bank and COMESA in 2022, aims to enhance the sustainability of the electricity sector in Eastern and Southern Africa through transparent, enforceable regulatory frameworks. The USD $1.5 million project, titled “Regional Harmonization of Regulatory Frameworks and Tools for Improved Electricity Regulation in COMESA,” is a key driver towards cross-border electricity trade and improved energy access. Key remarks from the workshop: 🔹 Mrs. Seharla Abdulahi, Director General, PEA, emphasized that harmonizing regulatory frameworks is vital for unlocking regional energy trade and enhancing energy security. 🔹 Dr. Mohamedain Seif Elnasr, CEO of RAERESA, noted that the initiative is crucial for attracting private investment and fostering competition, while also pointing to collaborative efforts with the World Bank to expand energy access to 100 million people through renewable energy initiatives. This harmonization effort represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and integrated energy future in the COMESA region. #Energy #COMESA #Sustainability #Electricity #Regulation #RegionalIntegration #EnergyAccess #RenewableEnergy #AfDB

🌍 The 11th COMESA Annual Research Forum has begun, uniting policymakers, academia, think tanks, and the private sector from across COMESA Member States and beyond to explore key topics on regional integration. 🔍 Themed “Fostering Economic Integration and Inclusivity in COMESA through Value Addition, Green Investments, and Tourism,” the forum is a significant platform to enhance capacity building in economic and trade policy research and analysis. It aims to narrow the gap between academia, the private sector, and policymakers in shaping sound economic policies. 📈 COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Kapwepwe emphasized the importance of scientific research for effective policy formulation as COMESA celebrates its 30th anniversary. “The use of scientific research evidence has become imperative for sound policy formulation and has immensely reduced the rate of policy failures,” she said. “Thus, the Forum plays an important role for us in keeping in touch with current policy issues and harnessing new knowledge and policy insights from eminent scholars, researchers, academia, and policy makers.” 🎙️ Keynote speaker Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, highlighted the need for accurate data for exporters, policymakers, and small businesses. She said, “The greatest hurdle standing in the way of greater integration, through value addition, green investment and tourism, and the benefit this can bring to COMESA small business, is the lack of timely, comprehensive data on trade and market trends, analysis and export requires.” Mr. Georges Chikoti, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), highlighted the significance of research and development in value addition. He pointed out that 70% of the organization’s member states rely on commodities for 60% of their revenues. 🤝 Representatives from organizations like OACPS, ACBF, EU, UNECA, and Afreximbank, attended the forum underscoring the collaborative effort toward regional growth. Over the course of the three-day forum, eight full research papers will be presented, addressing topics such as green investment, climate finance, value chain development, tourism, and the inclusion of women and youth in regional economic integration. #COMESAResearchForum2024 #EconomicIntegration #SustainableDevelopment #GreenInvestment #Tourism #ValueAddition #TradePolicy #RegionalCooperation #AfricaDevelopment #ResearchAndDevelopment #PolicyMaking