NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has set out for Burundi to attend the 23rd Summit of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Heads of State and Government in Bujumbura, a gathering that also marks COMESA’s 30th anniversary.
The summit, a pivotal event for African economic integration, brings together 21 member countries in a region boasting a combined GDP of $1 trillion and a market of 640 million people.
COMESA’s thriving trade environment is especially valuable for Kenya, which currently holds a 12.4pc stake in the regional market, just behind Egypt.
Kenya’s exports to COMESA have risen by 8pc between 2019 and 2023, underscoring the untapped potential for even stronger trade ties.
President Ruto’s visit aims to capitalize on this momentum, focusing on strategic discussions to further Kenya’s trade influence within the region.
During the summit, Ruto will meet with several regional leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, to strengthen Kenya’s ties with COMESA’s largest markets.
Talks with Egypt will focus on enhancing bilateral trade and expanding market access, while his meeting with President Hichilema is expected to tackle non-tariff barriers, including plans to establish a Joint Trade Committee to address these hurdles directly.
Beyond bilateral engagements, Ruto’s agenda at COMESA emphasizes building resilient regional value chains, a step crucial for deepening economic integration across East Africa.
This year’s discussions are also an opportunity for Kenya to assert its role as a regional economic leader by fostering partnerships that can drive value-added exports, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
