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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Most Member States do not compile high-frequency measures of gross domestic product (GDP). If they do, the estimates come with a considerable lag, yet policy decisions need to be made often, particularly when major shocks such as COVID-19 pandemic or climate related shocks have occurred. This has inspired the COMESA Monetary Institute to come up…
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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…
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COMESA and the Government of Kenya launched the first-ever Compendium of Environment Statistics for Kenya, on 20 March 2025, a vital resource that consolidates key data on environmental conditions, natural resource use, waste management, disasters, human settlements, and environmental policies. Developed by COMESA through its EU-funded Eleventh European Development Fund (EDF-11) Institutional Capacity Building Program…
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The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has taken a significant stride toward digital transformation with the successful conclusion of a three-day technical scoping workshop for the Safe Digital Boost for Africa (SDBA) Programme. The workshop, held from 4 – 6March 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together key stakeholders to chart a course…
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