President William Ruto is set to hand over the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa as regional leaders meet in Harare to chart a path towards stronger trade, industrial growth and investment.

The handover is taking place during the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit on Thursday, October 22, 2026, bringing together leaders from the bloc’s 21 member states to discuss ways of deepening economic integration and expanding business opportunities across the region.

Zimbabwe is expected to take over the chairmanship for the 2026–2027 period, with Eswatini serving as vice-chair and Kenya assuming the role of rapporteur.

Speaking after arriving in Harare, President Ruto said the summit would focus on strengthening regional integration, maintaining peace and security, accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and increasing the value of Africa’s natural resources.

The summit is being held under the theme, **“One Market, One Future: Driving Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA."

For Kenya, stronger regional trade could create new markets for locally manufactured goods, agricultural produce and processed foods, while opening up opportunities for businesses seeking to expand beyond the domestic market.

Reducing trade barriers and improving transport networks and border infrastructure are also expected to feature in discussions, with the aim of lowering the cost of moving goods and making cross-border trade more efficient.

Regional leaders are further expected to explore ways of increasing the value of agricultural produce and mineral resources through local processing, rather than relying heavily on exports of raw materials. Such a shift could support industrial development, increase government revenues and create jobs.

Another key item on the agenda is the COMESA Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which is expected to guide the bloc’s priorities over the next five years. The plan focuses on expanding intra-regional trade, improving infrastructure, promoting digital technologies and enhancing the livelihoods of citizens across member states.

Ahead of the summit, the COMESA Business Forum brought together investors, business leaders and policymakers to discuss access to capital, industrial competitiveness and the development of regional value chains.

For Zimbabwe, hosting the summit provides an opportunity to showcase its investment, tourism and trade potential as it prepares to assume leadership of the regional bloc.

Kenya’s handover of the chairmanship will mark the end of Ruto’s tenure at the helm of COMESA, although the country will retain its membership and continue participating in decisions affecting regional economic cooperation.

However, the summit’s impact will ultimately depend on how effectively member states implement the resolutions reached in Harare. Removing persistent trade barriers and translating regional agreements into practical opportunities for businesses and citizens remain critical to achieving the bloc’s economic ambitions.