Ruto takes over as Comesa chairperson
President William Ruto speaking during the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi on 9 October 2025. Photo/Courtesy
President William Ruto has taken over as chair of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), unveiling an ambitious plan to drive digital transformation, boost regional trade, and deepen financial integration across member states.
Speaking at the 24th Comesa Heads of State and Government Summit held in Nairobi on 9 October 2025, Dr Ruto said his leadership will be anchored on innovation and economic cooperation under the theme “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”
“For far too long, Africa has been a passive consumer of technology,” he said.
“The time has come for us to become producers, innovators and exporters of digital solutions, shaping our own economic destiny.”
The President outlined a plan to build a “digital superhighway” by investing jointly in infrastructure, transport corridors, regional data centres and secure cloud services connecting communities across the bloc.
He urged member states to harmonise digital policies and regulatory frameworks, calling fragmentation a “non-tariff barrier” to growth.
He also pressed for faster adoption of electronic Certificates of Origin, Single Window Systems, and interoperable cross-border payment platforms to make Comesa the continent’s most efficient trading region.
“A single digital market for Comesa will unlock trade, increase competitiveness and place our region at the centre of the global digital economy,” Dr Ruto said.
He said his tenure will focus on harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution by integrating artificial intelligence, automation and advanced manufacturing to add value to Africa’s resources and create quality jobs.
Dr Ruto pledged to strengthen Africa’s financial independence through regional institutions.
He revealed that Kenya has injected an additional $100 million (KSh 13.2 billion) into the Trade and Development Bank, on top of $50 million (KSh 6.6 billion) previously committed to Afreximbank.
“By capitalising these entities, we are ensuring Africa’s growth is financed on terms that reflect our realities, our priorities, and our aspirations,” he said.
Comesa Secretary-General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe said Ruto’s election reflects confidence in Kenya’s leadership as the bloc expands its digital and trade agenda.
She highlighted projects such as the $2.5 billion (KSh 330 billion) Comesa–World Bank Digital Acceleration Programme targeting 180 million people by 2030, and the Africa Cloud Ecosystem, which will support sectors like agriculture, health and education.
“We are moving fast to digitalise every aspect of our trade instruments, simplify processes, reduce barriers and deepen value chains,” she said.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, elected Comesa vice chairperson, said his country will work closely with Ruto to strengthen economic integration and industrialisation within the bloc.
“Zimbabwe stands ready to collaborate with member states to build resilient economies and promote shared prosperity,” he said.
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