COMESA’s Assistant Secretary General for Programmes Amb. Dr Mohamed Kadah, accompanied by COMESA Regional Investment Agency (COMESA RIA) Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Heba Salama and European Development Fund (EDF) Programme Manager, Ms Mshuka Kamwela, met with Tunisia’s Minister of Preparation, Housing and the Commissioner for Management of the Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Sarah Al-Zafrani Al-Zanzari, to discuss potential cooperation between Tunisia and COMESA in the transport sector.
During the session, Minister Al-Zafrani Al-Zanzari highlighted the existing cooperation between Tunisia and COMESA and the joint efforts to implement several structured projects in the transport sector. Key projects discussed included studies related to the rail linking initiatives, such as the high-performance railway line (LHP) study, which aims to connect Tunisia with neighbouring countries and the project to enhance African air connectivity. Among other discussions included support to trade facilitation, particularly the Ras Jadir border crossing, was highlighted. This is part of a national strategic vision to make this crossing a gateway to the African continent and a critical component in creating a land trade corridor to boost trade exchanges between COMESA region countries.
Following the meeting, a working session was held to explore supported mechanisms and expand the horizons of mutual cooperation between Tunisia and COMESA countries. During the meeting, Ms Kamwela, presented the activities of the EDF funded COMESA programmes. She highlighted the Support to Air Transport Sector Development Programme (SATSD) in the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region presenting some of the the benefits for Tunisia as one of the Member States. The country was urged to sign the Solemn Commitment to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) for implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision which will help sustain intra-African connectivity in line with Africa’s aspiration under the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
The COMESA Investment Forum organized by the COMESA RIA, was also discussed. The Tunisian side emphasized the importance of this event as a renewed opportunity for Tunisia to showcase its distinct regions and attract investments, particularly in the transport sector. The meeting underscored Tunisia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with COMESA and leveraging opportunities to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.
The meeting was attended by various officials from the Ministry of Transport, including members of the Minister’s Board, the Director General of National Border Crossings, representatives from the General Administration for Maritime Transport, Commercial Maritime Ports, General Administration for Land Transport, General Administration for Strategy, Facilities, Public Institutions, General Administration for Civil Aviation, and a representative from the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, among other ministry officials.
During the period, Amb. Dr Kadah also held bilateral meetings with H.E. Mme. Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, Minister of Trade and Export Development, H. E. Mr. Niza Ben Neji, Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, H. E. Mr. Nabil Ammar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Tunisians Abroad, among other high-level officials.