The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has called for stronger regional integration, infrastructure investment and trade cooperation as global geopolitical disruptions continue to affect supply chains and business growth across Africa.
Speaking during the second EU–COMESA Strategic Dialogue held in Lusaka, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe says instability along key global trade routes, including the Red Sea corridor and Strait of Hormuz, has exposed the urgent need for resilient regional trade and logistics systems.
Ms. Kapwepwe says COMESA, which represents a market of more than 680 million people, is strategically positioned to drive implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), strengthen regional value chains and improve cross-border infrastructure and digital trade.
The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting COMESA’s regional integration agenda through investments in transport connectivity, energy and digital transformation under the EU Global Gateway initiative.
By Best Jere
