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Director of Trade and Customs Division at COMESA, Christopher Onyango, emphasized on Tuesday that services already account for about 50 percent of GDP in most member states.
In a statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025, President Ruto said he accepted the role with gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of duty.
Ruto paid tribute to Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the outgoing chair, for his steady leadership, which he said had helped the bloc achieve notable progress.
The President noted that the demands of today’s global economy make regional integration essential for Africa to maintain relevance in international trade. He stressed that combining digital innovation with integration could drive job creation, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable growth across the continent
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced the transition during the 18th COMESA Business Forum in Nairobi, saying Kenya’s leadership will focus on using digital technology to strengthen trade, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth across member states.
The electronic system was first introduced at the regional level in November 2024 by Eswatini, Malawi and Zambia as pilot countries. Zimbabwe and Kenya have now joined the programme, bringing the number of participating member states to 21, while other countries are in the process of integrating the system.
The high-level meeting will take place on October 9, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The regulator has begun investigating a proposal by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Capital to sell two aircraft it has leased in Kenya to US-based Azorra Aviation.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stated the urgency of harmonizing chemical safety standards within the region
Among the key airlines that serve international routes within the Comesa bloc are Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, TunisAir, RwandAir, Malawi Airlines, Zambia Airways, and Uganda Airlines.