Kenya is intensifying preparations to host the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), scheduled to take place in Nairobi from October 7 to 9, 2025. The high-level gathering will bring together leaders from 21 member states at a time when global trade dynamics are shifting, making the summit a critical platform for advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda.
The event will be preceded by two major activities: the COMESA Business Council Forum on October 7 and a three-day COMESA Trade Exhibition from October 6 to 8. These events will showcase opportunities for regional trade, investment, and partnerships, laying the groundwork for deliberations at the main summit.
Kenya views the summit as a timely opportunity to strengthen intra-African trade, which has historically lagged behind trade with external markets. Regional integration frameworks such as COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are seen as essential tools for boosting trade among African nations and reducing reliance on traditional export markets.
As part of its trade strategy, Kenya is prioritising industrialisation and value addition. The country has expanded Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) while introducing county-level aggregated industrial parks. These initiatives aim to shift the economy away from raw commodity exports such as tea and coffee toward higher-value processed goods that can compete in international markets. To sustain this transformation, the government is focusing on enablers such as reliable power, modern infrastructure, and efficient transport systems.
Preparations for the summit are advancing steadily, with resource mobilisation a key priority. The budget for the event is estimated at KSh 800 million, of which KSh 300 million has already been secured. Contributions have come from both the government and the COMESA Secretariat, while additional partnerships and sponsorships are being pursued to close the funding gap.
The summit will run under the theme “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”. This reflects the urgency for Africa to diversify its trade base, embrace technology, and adapt to evolving global patterns.
With just weeks to go, Kenya is confident in delivering a successful summit that will set the tone for deeper regional integration, enhance Africa’s competitiveness in global markets, and position trade as a driver of inclusive growth.
