Kenya is preparing to host the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit on October 9, 2025, in Nairobi, marking a pivotal moment for regional economic cooperation and diplomacy. The build-up to the summit officially began with the launch of the Multi-Agency National Organizing Committee (MANOC) by Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The summit will bring together Heads of State and Government from the 21 COMESA member countries. Preceding the main event, the COMESA Business Forum and the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs meetings will take place on October 7 and 8, respectively.
Speaking at the MANOC launch, PS Ombam underscored the summit’s strategic importance amid shifting global trade dynamics and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between major economies such as the United States and China. “The summit offers Kenya an opportunity to reinforce its leadership role in regional integration and participate meaningfully in global trade discourse,” she stated.
A key agenda item for Kenya will be advocating for the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), which continue to impede intra-regional trade. The summit will also serve as a platform to assess the progress of COMESA’s integration agenda and the implementation of shared regional programs.
As the host nation, Kenya will assume the rotating chairmanship of COMESA from Burundi in 2025. This leadership role is expected to strengthen Kenya’s voice in shaping regional economic policies and development strategies.
Established in 1994, COMESA includes countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and aims to promote economic integration among its 21 members. Kenya, a founding member, previously hosted the summit in 1999 and 2007.
This year’s summit is projected to attract over 3,000 delegates, offering a significant platform for policy dialogue, investment promotion, and business networking. With its long-standing commitment to regional development, Kenya’s hosting of the 24th COMESA Summit underscores its strategic position as a key player in Africa’s economic integration efforts.
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