President Ruto Takes Over COMESA Chairmanship, Calls for Digital Integration and Homegrown Financing

Nairobi, Kenya – October 9, 2025
President William Ruto has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), pledging to drive digital transformation, strengthen regional trade, and promote self-reliant financing among member states.

Speaking during the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi, President Ruto said Africa’s economic future depends on how effectively it embraces technology to deepen regional value chains. The summit was held under the theme “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

“It is time for Africa to move from being a passive consumer of technology to becoming a producer, innovator and exporter of digital solutions,” President Ruto said, calling for investment in both physical and digital infrastructure to connect rural and urban economies across the region.

The Kenyan leader urged member states to harmonise digital policies to eliminate fragmentation, which he described as “a non-tariff barrier in itself.” He proposed the adoption of electronic Certificates of Origin, integrated customs single window systems, and interoperable cross-border payment platforms to enhance efficiency and transparency in trade.

Dr Ruto also called for reforms in the global financial system, arguing that institutions such as the IMF and World Bank no longer reflect Africa’s realities. He said regional blocs like COMESA must strengthen African-led financial institutions including the Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Afreximbank, and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Kenya, he announced, has committed an additional US$100 million to TDB on top of an earlier US$50 million investment in Afreximbank.

“The development of our continent must be financed on terms that reflect our priorities and aspirations,” Ruto said. He added that strengthening homegrown financial institutions would ensure long-term, affordable funding for African projects.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was elected Vice Chairperson of COMESA, commended Kenya for hosting the summit and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to regional integration, trade liberalisation, and collective self-reliance. He said COMESA remains “a vital platform for cooperation and the promotion of intra-regional trade and investment.”

Mnangagwa urged member states to address non-tariff barriers, improve infrastructure, and implement the Tripartite Free Trade Area and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock COMESA’s full potential. “Together, we can deliver on the promise of a better future for our people,” he said.

COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe congratulated President Ruto on his election, saying it reflected member states’ confidence in Kenya’s leadership. She reported that intra-COMESA trade had increased to US$14 billion in 2024, up from US$2 billion in 2000, while foreign direct investment to the bloc surged by 154 percent to US$65 billion, the highest among African regional blocs.

Kapwepwe highlighted progress in digitalisation, noting that the US$2.5 billion COMESA–World Bank Digital Acceleration Programme is expected to connect 180 million people by 2030. She also cited ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, climate resilience, and smart agriculture to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

“The digital agenda is central to COMESA’s economic transformation,” she said, adding that the bloc’s initiatives were creating new opportunities for women, youth, and small businesses.

President Ruto also reiterated Kenya’s commitment to regional integration, announcing that the country had adopted a visa-free policy for most African nationals to promote free movement of people and goods across borders.

The summit concluded with leaders reaffirming their collective commitment to deepen integration, enhance digital connectivity, and strengthen peace and security across the region.