By Nyasha Chuma
MT HAMPDEN — President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) on Thursday, pledging to prioritize regional industrialization, infrastructure development, and value addition during Zimbabwe’s tenure.
Mnangagwa took over the rotation from Kenyan President William Ruto at the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, held at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
In his acceptance speech, Mnangagwa commended Ruto’s outgoing leadership—particularly his focus on digitization and value chains—and welcomed Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema as the incoming COMESA vice-chairperson, expressing confidence in joint leadership toward regional growth.
Outlining his policy priorities, Mnangagwa called for decisive action against transportation bottlenecks through innovative financing models for road and rail infrastructure, alongside increased support for small and medium-sized enterprises, youth, and women through expanded digital trade systems.
He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s chairmanship will focus heavily on resource beneficiation, enabling member states to capture higher returns from raw materials locally. His agenda also includes championing agro-processing industrial parks, climate-resilient agriculture, and aligning education systems with industry needs to ensure economic integration yields direct benefits for ordinary citizens.
Reaffirming Zimbabwe’s broader foreign policy stance, Mnangagwa noted that the country remains “a friend to all and an enemy to none” as it takes the lead in guiding the bloc’s trade, investment, and economic integration goals.
