• Continue working towards achieving African Development Agenda Objectives-Egypt
• Several obstacles separate COMESA from its vision of prosperity through integration and industrialization-Kenya.
• Economic integration is a matter of urgency-Malawi

Zambia’s Republican President Hakainde Hichilema says the footprint of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in African Union Integration Agenda must be visible.

President Hakainde Hichilema who has now been elected as bureau of the authority and Chairperson of COMESA said COMESA has to remain at the table where strategic decisions are being made as the building block for Africa’s integration Agenda.

President Hichilema who took over the Chairmanship of COMESA from Egyptian President further recognized the headwork of The Egyptian President.

“Allow me to recognize the hard work of President El-Sisi and your team, the private sector and COMESA Secretariat for the efforts you have been making over the years as we move our regional economic bloc forward.” He said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, rendered his undertaking for COMESA to continue working and coordination towards achieving the African Development Agenda Objectives of 2063.

“Your excellences, ladies and gentlemen, I gave you my promise when I assumed the chairmanship of the COMESA in 2021 to work with diligence and sincerity, to deepen the economic integration between and among the COMESA Countries and now after the end of Egypt’s Chairmanship of Comesa I render you my undertaking to continue working and coordinating with all our brothers and sisters towards achieving of the African Development Agenda Objectives of 2063.”

Additional, President of Kenya William Ruto in his maiden Speech to COMESA said several obstacles separate COMESA from its vision of prosperity through integration and industrialization.

President Ruto said the region has an historic opportunity to join forces in building the capacity of every player along its value chains, especially on matters to comply with competitive standards and to harmonize standards and regulatory frameworks.

He added that it is also imperative for Africa to seek a resolution to the disparities in currencies and the consequential impediments it poses to intra-African trade.

“Trade cannot take place without efficient and unified payment systems.” President Ruto said.

Further, Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who also made his first Speech said he was concerned that the body is not yet pursuing the integration agenda with the urgency it deserves.

Dr. Chakwera noted that, “there is no doubt in my mind that we all agree about the necessity of economic integration, but I am concerned that we as a body are not yet pursuing it with the urgency it deserves.”

President Chakwera indicated that the economic integration is a matter of urgency because since the time African Continental Free Trade Area wax ratified, there have already been forces from beyond the continent moving into position to work Africa’s economic framework to their advantage rather than Africa’s.

“If we do not quickly get our act together with economic integration on our own terms, it may very well be that by the time we fully integrate, the mechanism will have already been rigged against us to ensure that the beneficiaries of our economic integration are non-African economies.”

He called on everyone, to move with speed on the key pillars of economic integration.

Further, Comesa Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe said as one of the 8 recognized regional economic communities of the African union, COMESA continues to play a leading role in supporting continental integration efforts through its various institutions.

Ms. Kapwepwe explained this has been possible by the support of various stakeholders that played pivotal roles in support of COMESA’s significant achievements.

“I have no doubt that with our continued collaboration we shall continue to propel the common market to greater heights” she stated.

The 2023 COMESA summit was held under the theme “economic integration for a thriving COMESA, anchored on green investment, value addition and tourism”

Agenda 2063 is founded on the AU vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”.