- President William Ruto has officially assumed the chairmanship of the COMESA Authority.
- He took over from Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye during the 24th COMESA Summit held in Nairobi.
- Ruto pledged to strengthen regional unity, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
- COMESA comprises 21 member states and serves as a key driver of Africa’s economic integration.
President William Ruto has taken over the leadership of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Authority. The handover happened during the 24th Heads of State and Government Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Thursday, October 9.
He now replaces Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who held the position for the past year.
In his acceptance speech, President Ruto expressed gratitude to the COMESA leaders for their trust and pledged to lead with dedication and purpose.
“It is with profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of purpose that I stand before you today as the new chair of COMESA,” he said.
“I thank you for the trust you have placed in me and the people of Kenya to lead this great organisation, one that remains central to Africa’s economic transformation.”
Ruto further promised to work with all member states to create a more digital, dynamic, and inclusive regional bloc.
“Together, we can build a COMESA that is digital, dynamic, and deeply inclusive, one that truly reflects the promise of a rising Africa,” he added.
President Ruto praised his predecessor, President Ndayishimiye, for his leadership and contribution to COMESA’s progress.
“You have advanced our shared vision of integration and cooperation with diligence and dedication. For this, we owe you our collective appreciation and deep respect,” Ruto said.
The COMESA Authority serves as the top decision-making organ of the 21-member trade bloc. It guides the bloc’s general policy, direction, and performance, ensuring alignment with regional development goals.
Its resolutions, made by consensus, are binding on all member institutions except the Court of Justice.
Established in 1994, COMESA promotes economic integration through trade, investment, and sustainable development across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The bloc’s headquarters are located in Lusaka, Zambia, and its annual summits rotate among member states, with the host nation’s president assuming the chairmanship for the following year.
