Nairobi will take the continental spotlight this month as it hosts the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) from October 7–9, 2025.
The gathering is not only a high-level political event but also the supreme policy meeting of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), bringing together leaders from 21 African countries.
The Summit, formally known as the COMESA Authority, is the highest decision-making body of the regional bloc. It comprises the Heads of State and Government of all member countries and is responsible for setting the strategic direction, approving programs, and supervising the functioning of COMESA institutions.
The Summit’s decisions are binding across all COMESA institutions, except the Court of Justice, making it one of the most influential gatherings for shaping the bloc’s economic and political trajectory. Decisions are typically reached by consensus, but where this fails, they may be made by a two-thirds majority vote.
The 24th Summit will be themed: “Leveraging digitalization to deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.” This reflects COMESA’s push to harness digital technologies in driving trade, production, and cross-border integration.
Transition of Leadership
This year marks a symbolic moment as Kenya takes over the Chairmanship of COMESA from Burundi. President William Ruto will assume the role during the Nairobi Summit, cementing Kenya’s position at the center of regional integration efforts.
The three-day event will be preceded by two key meetings:
- The COMESA Business Forum on October 7, 2025, bringing together private sector leaders, policymakers, and investors.
- The Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on October 8, 2025, to prepare the groundwork for the leaders’ deliberations.
Quick Facts About COMESA
To appreciate the scale and influence of the Summit, it is important to understand what COMESA represents:
- Membership: 21 African countries. They include Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Area: Covers about 11.8 million square kilometres.
- Population: Approximately 560 million people.
- Economy: Combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of nearly USD 768 billion.
- Headquarters: Lusaka, Zambia.
- Languages: Official languages are English, French, and Arabic.
Institutional Structure
- The Council of Ministers: Responsible for detailed policy formulation and coordination.
- Technical Committees: Twelve committees handle specialized areas including trade, customs, infrastructure, agriculture, and ICT.
- Advisory Bodies: Provide expert input to support decision-making.
- National Liaison Persons: Each member state designates officials within relevant ministries to maintain constant communication with COMESA structures.
- The Secretariat: Based in Lusaka, it is the engine room of COMESA, tasked with implementing programs, managing finances, and coordinating among member states.
How COMESA Operates
COMESA is an intergovernmental organization established by treaty among member governments. It is recognized as the largest regional economic community in Africa, both in terms of geographical coverage and ambition for integration.
Its operations are financed mainly through contributions from member states, supplemented by support from international development partners. The bloc also applies a quota system to ensure fair representation of staff from across its membership.
Why the Summit Matters
The Nairobi Summit will not only provide a platform for heads of state to deliberate on trade, investment, and regional stability, but also set binding policy directions for the bloc’s future.
With digitalization at the heart of this year’s theme, the Summit is expected to push forward policies that will accelerate e-commerce, harmonize digital regulations, and expand cross-border ICT infrastructure. These measures are seen as vital for building competitive regional value chains that can strengthen Africa’s position in the global economy.
For Kenya, hosting the Summit is both a diplomatic victory and an economic opportunity, positioning the country as a hub for regional integration, trade, and innovation.
Read: Kenya: The Economic Anchor of Africa to Host 24th COMESA Summit
>>> COMESA Launches Leather Value Chain Strategy
Leave a comment