President William Ruto embarked on a trip to Bujumbura on Thursday morning to participate in the 23rd Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government. This summit serves as a pivotal platform for member states to bolster regional cooperation and economic integration.
During his visit, Ruto is expected to engage in high-level discussions with leaders from various COMESA member countries. The primary goal of these discussions is to enhance Kenya’s relationships with its regional partners, focusing on key strategic issues such as trade and economic collaboration.
The summit, themed “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism,” marks the 30th anniversary of COMESA. It provides an opportunity for member countries to deliberate on collective challenges and explore avenues for mutual benefit.
Among the pressing matters on the agenda, Ruto will advocate for support for Kenya’s candidacy for the chairperson position at the African Union Commission and seek an extension of sugar safeguard measures to revitalize the sugar sector, which is crucial for many member states.
Additionally, the President will pursue support for Kenya’s bid to host the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Secretariat, which aims to foster closer economic ties among the COMESA, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Ruto’s itinerary also includes bilateral engagements with key leaders, including the Presidents of Egypt and Zambia, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Discussions with the Egyptian President will center on enhancing bilateral trade, while talks with the Zambian leader will aim to establish a Joint Trade Committee to address non-tariff barriers affecting trade between the two nations.
This summit not only highlights Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation but also reinforces the importance of collaborative efforts among COMESA member states in addressing common challenges and promoting sustainable economic growth across the region. The last COMESA summit was held in Zambia in June 2023, emphasizing the continuity of dialogue and cooperation among member countries.
