Kenya will on Wednesday take over the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), stepping into a pivotal leadership role at a time when the regional bloc is seeking to modernise trade and deepen economic ties.

Speaking at the 18th COMESA Business Forum in Nairobi on Tuesday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Kenya’s tenure will focus on digital transformation and value chain development as the cornerstones of regional integration.

“Tomorrow, Kenya is assuming the chairmanship of our organisation, COMESA. This is not a light responsibility,” Dr Kindiki said. “Kenya will use this role to champion a new era of regional integration that harnesses digitalisation to deepen value chains for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

A Push for Digital Trade

The transition comes as COMESA members seek to accelerate post-pandemic recovery, strengthen value chains, and unlock the region’s trade potential — currently lagging at just 15 per cent intra-African trade.

Dr Kindiki said the bloc’s focus on digital innovation aligns closely with Kenya’s own economic priorities, which emphasise value addition, industrialisation, and cross-border cooperation.

“The Summit aligns with Kenya’s digital transformation agenda, drawing from our experience in mobile money, fintech, and digital governance,” he said.

He added that digital tools would be key to boosting efficiency, cutting trade barriers, and improving connectivity among the bloc’s 21 member states.

Modernising Borders and Boosting Value Chains

Dr Kindiki outlined several practical steps Kenya plans to champion, including the rollout of Electronic Certificates of Origin (ECO) and smart border systems designed to streamline customs procedures and reduce delays.

“Digital transformation creates a more dynamic business environment,” he said. “It helps eliminate non-tariff barriers by modernising trade facilitation and customs operations.”

He stressed that Kenya’s approach would go beyond exporting raw materials, shifting towards the production of higher-value goods and services. The goal, he said, is to create more opportunities for small and medium enterprises, especially those led by women and young people.

“This approach seeks to generate jobs, promote innovation, and empower communities — particularly within agricultural value chains,” he added.

A Shared Vision for Growth

COMESA, the largest regional economic bloc in Africa by membership, has long sought to strengthen intra-regional trade through cooperation and shared infrastructure. However, persistent challenges — from policy inconsistencies to logistics bottlenecks — have slowed progress.

Dr Kindiki said Kenya’s leadership would focus on practical reforms to help unlock the region’s full economic potential.

“Digitalisation is not just an economic strategy,” he noted. “It is a catalyst for innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.”

Expressing optimism about the bloc’s future, he said: “By working together, we shall build a more integrated, resilient, and prosperous COMESA for all our people.”

Kenya’s chairmanship, he added, would seek to rally governments, businesses, and civil society around one goal — a modern, connected Africa that trades with itself and competes globally.