The Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya (ZTK) Power Interconnector Project has officially been relaunched in Lusaka by the three participating governments, with strong backing from the World Bank, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Aimed at linking the East African Power Pool (EAPP) with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the ZTK project will create one of Africa’s…
Read more
Noting the need to facilitate and enhance small-scale cross-border trade, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed an Interministerial Decree on 10 March 2025 to enable the implementation of the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR) on its borders with neighbouring COMESA countries. The DRC shares borders with four COMESA countries Burundi, Rwanda,…
Read more
Members of the Programme Steering Committee for the European Union funded Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) at COMESA Secretariat and EU Delegation in Zambia met in Lusaka to review progress in implementation of the Programme. Funded under the 11th European Development Fund, the initiative continues to be a cornerstone in COMESA’s efforts to strengthen institutional…
Read more
Malawi is scheduled to hold general elections on 16 September 2025 to elect a President, Members to the National Assembly and representatives Ward Councils to serve for a five-year period. The 2025 elections come after the previous elections in 2019 that were initially nullified by the Supreme Court. The Court besides the nullification of elections…
Read more
Fifty staff from Central Banks in twelve COMESA countries have been trained in understanding the complex interaction between monetary policy and fintech. The comprehensive training will enable staff to provide advice for effective policy responses to the challenges and opportunities presented by fintech in the COMESA region. Organised by the COMESA Monetary Institute, the virtual…
Read more
COMESA has launched the World Bank-funded Inclusive Digitalization for East and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme which aims to empower 180 million people with internet access and provide digitally enabled services to 100 million people over the next eight years. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science of Zambia, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, launched the programme alongside, World…
Read more
Preparations for the development of COMESA’s 2026–2030 Medium-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) have commenced with a two-day retreat for management and technical staff in Lusaka, held on March 24–25, 2025. The retreat’s agenda focused on reviewing the performance of the current 2021–2025 MTSP, identifying successes, challenges, and key lessons to inform the next five-year plan. Leading…
Read more
The COMESA Secretariat has learnt with deep sorrow about the passing on of Madam Monique Andreas Esoavelomandraso, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders from Madagascar. She died on Monday 17th March 2025 in Madagascar. Head of the Governance, Peace and Security Unit Dr Oita Etyang revealed that upon being appointed to the Committee…
Read more
Egypt, Turkey, and France Ambassadors to Zambia have been accredited as representatives of their respective countries to COMESA. In a brief ceremony at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka Monday, February 10, 2025, the three presented their letters of credence to Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, marking a new chapter in international cooperation. H.E. Ms. Mayada…
Read more
COMESA Secretariat in collaboration with the Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility on Friday 14 February held a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on promoting women’s economic empowerment and fostering gender-responsive trade policies at Zambia-Zimbabwe Chirundu Border Post. In addition to Chirundu, the Secretariat and the ICR Facility will also conduct a series of the PPD at the…
Read more
