News

Business Model to Promote Digital Financial Inclusion Plan Developed

A business model on operation and implementation of a regional online payment platform for Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the COMESA region has been developed. The model was created by the COMESA Business Council (CBC) as part of its digital financial inclusion plan for MSMEs. It is aimed at supporting the design, development…
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Ease of Movement, as Kenya Lifts Major COVID-19 Restrictions

Kenya has taken the first major step towards easing restrictions imposed two years ago with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, it has waived the requirement for PCR test for travellers to Kenya, for those that are fully vaccinated. This includes truck drivers who will also be exempted from the PCR test if fully…
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Fresh Impetus Towards a Single African Air Transport Market

Kigali, Wednesday, March 9, 2022: Aviation experts from the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) are meeting in a three days’ retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, from 8th –10th March 2022 to harmonize their workplans, strengthen institutional arrangement and collaboration in the operationalization and implementation of the…
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Energy Experts Validate Market Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanism Guidelines

Regional energy experts have approved a set of tools to promote renewable energy and efficiency. Among them is the grid capacity guideline report for integrating renewable energy, monitoring tool for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (REEESAP) for the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region. The others…
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Small-Scale Trade Set to Rise at Kenya- Ethiopia Border

Small scale trade along the Kenya- Ethiopia border is poised to thrive following bilateral negotiations between the two parties to agree on a Common List of products to be traded under the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR). The negotiations took place on 1st March 2022 at the Moyale border post and addressed the implementation of…
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Envoys for Ireland and AU-SARO Accredited to COMESA

Irish Ambassador to Zambia and Namibia Ms Bronagh Carr and the Permanent Representative to the African Union – Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO) Mr. David Claude Pierre, have been accredited to COMESA. The two presented their letters to COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka. They…
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Regional Central Banks’ Staff Trained on Strengthening Financial Inclusion

The COMESA Monetary Institute (CMI) has developed a User’s Guide on application of econometric software to cross sectional data using financial inclusion data and its implications on financial stability. The Guide was presented to delegates from Member States for validation during a virtual workshop conducted by the CMI from 21 – 25 February 2022. The…
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Trade Experts Trained on Using TradeSift Technology   

Monday, February 28,2022: Close to 100 trade experts from COMESA Member States are undergoing a four-day online training on trade policy analysis using TradeSift tool being conducted by the University of Sussex, from 28 February to 3rdMarch 2022. The training will empower the participants to analyse policy issues and effectively participate in trade negotiations. It…
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Euros 6.8 million Project to Upgrade Zambian Border Posts Launched

Friday, February 25, 2022: The Government of Zambia in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have conducted the official launch of the 6.8 million Euros project to upgrade Zambian border posts. The project, Zambia Border Posts Upgrade Project (ZBPUP), whose implementation has been underway since…
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Studies to Address Impediments to Small Cross Border Trade Complete

February 25, 2022: COMESA has conducted two studies to address bottlenecks that impede small scale trade flows within the region. The first study aims at determining the best approach towards smooth implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR). The second relates to the sustainability of trade information desks currently established at border points. The studies…
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