Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema who has taken over the chairperson role of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), has pledged to advance common goals of the 21-member states.
Speaking during his acceptance speech, President Hichilema says economic integration in the regional market is possible through exploring unique opportunities that exist in respective nations.
He adds that to actualize tangible gains, COMESA affiliates must seek a borderless system.
Outgoing COMESA Chairperson and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi says trade will thrive once conflicts in the regional blocks are resolved amicably.
Meanwhile, during his maiden speech at the same event, Kenyan President William Ruto equally emphasized the need to eliminate borders that he says impede trade in Africa which amounts to only 17 percent.
The 22nd COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit was held under the theme ‘Economic Integration for a Thriving COMESA Anchored on Green Investment, Value Addition and Tourism.’
By Shem Malinda