ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ZIMBABWE AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE
COMESA AUTHORITY
HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA
AT THE 25TH COMESA HEADS OF STATE
AND GOVERNMENT SUMMIT
HARARE, ZIMBABWE
22 OCTOBER 2026
Your Excellency, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, Outgoing
Chairperson of the COMESA Authority and President of the Republic of Kenya;
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;
Your Excellency, Madam C. M. Kapwepwe, COMESA
Secretary General;
Your Excellency, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson
of the African Union Commission (AUC);
Your Excellencies, Representatives of Regional and
International Organisations;
Honourable Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic
Corps and Senior Government Officials;
Distinguished Delegates;
Fellow COMESA Citizens;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
On behalf of the people and Government of Zimbabwe, I take over the mantle of Chairperson of the COMESA Authority, with deep humility and a profound sense of duty. I thank you, your Excellencies, for the confidence reposed on my country to nurture the vision of this regional bloc, for the period 2026-2027.
Our collective wisdom will be invaluable in the implementation of the COMESA Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030, set for launch during the Summit.
May I thank you, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, President William Ruto, for the dedication and visionary leadership you exhibited during your tenure.
We commend the Republic of Kenya for steering COMESA with purpose and clarity, particularly in advancing digitisation and regional value chains.
Allow me to also acknowledge the Secretary General, and Secretariat of COMESA institutions for the sterling work that continues to deliver transformative results.
Zimbabwe stands ready to work with all Member States as we consolidate our gains and build on achievements realised to date, for an integrated, competitive and prosperous region.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
The theme of our Summit, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA”, brings to the fore the importance of inter-connectedness with regards the productive capacity of our economies, markets and shared destiny. It is a call to harness the region’s resources and investment potential to accelerate modernisation and industrialisation, towards a higher quality of life for our citizens.
To this end, our common market must enable enterprises to produce at scale, facilitate cross border movement of factors of production and reach new customers.
The future we envision requires every Member State to contribute to, and benefit from, our collective progress. Let us, match the aspirations of this theme, and the founding principles of our organisation, with concrete actions, programmes and projects.
It is commendable that since the establishment of the Free Trade Area in 2000, intra-COMESA exports have grown from approximately US$2 billion to over US$14 billion in 2025. This growth demonstrates the value of cooperation, and must give impetus to the conversion of our vast resources into development dividends that uplift more of our citizens out of poverty into a higher quality of life.
To this end, COMESA remains a vital platform for pooling resources, harmonising policies and promoting trade. The success of our region, depends on all of us, Member States, individually and collectively playing our part. I exhort us, therefore, to accelerate ongoing programmes to increase industrial production and productivity, enhance quality and standards, address transportation bottlenecks and rationalise pricing.
The financing challenges faced by women, youth entrepreneurs, along with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, require robust models that secure inclusivity productivity and market access, by this sector.
Persistent non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps and policy mis-alignments require bold decisions. Likewise, simplified border procedures, the wider use of digital trade systems and emerging technologies should improve commerce and the movement of business persons across our countries.
Your Excellencies;
During Zimbabwe’s Chairmanship, we aim to work with Member States towards fast-tracking value addition and beneficiation as well as inclusive industrialisation and greater participation in regional value chains.
Climate change mitigation and the green agenda are vital aspects to guarantee national and regional food security, and sovereignty.
We will depend on the membership of COMESA to advance this people-centered economic development thrust.
Undoubtedly, the God-given natural resources of Africa are important to spur development and the realisation of sustainable prosperity. In the case of Zimbabwe, lessons from our policy decision that demand all resources to be locally processed, has seen a manifold increase in value of our minerals.
The message to the region is that the natural endowments of Africa must industrialise our economies, create jobs and broad-based empowerment which improve the quality of lives of our peoples.
Zimbabwe will continue to champion flagship initiatives focused on agro-processing, cross-border agro and industrial parks, the harmonization of supply chain and climate proofing of the agriculture sector.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests;
The realization of our common vision and shared aspirations depend on investment and finance for the integration agenda. Roads, rail, energy infrastructure and digital networks require affordable, predictable and long-term financing.
It is now critically important to think outside the box on development financing models that will help bypass high borrowing costs and heavy debt obligations.
Trade, insurance and financial institutions, together with development partners are called upon to increase funding in support of priority infrastructure and productive investments within COMESA.
As we implement the Medium-Term Strategic Plan, no one and no country should be left behind. Integration succeeds when its benefits impact the small traders crossing our borders; persons with disabilities and rural communities; the women processing food and the young graduate starting a digital business.
The challenge has been thrust upon us and we have a duty to continue the work on simplified trade regimes, free movement of persons such as those championed by my predecessor. Relevant human capital development, skills training and innovation must anchor our education systems. It is essential that curriculum be based on the unique realities in our jurisdictions and the need to produce goods and services that positively impact economies as well as day to day livelihoods.
Peace and security are indispensable for sustainable development and regional integration. My country stands ready to work with fellow Member States to strengthen preventive diplomacy and address trans-national threats that undermine collective prosperity.
Zimbabwe is a “friend to all and an enemy of none”, we are committed to multilateralism, dialogue, and mutually beneficial cooperation which recognises sovereign equality and our inalienable rights to chat our own destiny.
On institutional matters, we will support the Secretariat in rolling out the new Medium-Term Strategic Plan with clear results, regular reporting and a lean, accountable organisation.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
COMESA Green Industries Connect and 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition successfully convened policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The exchange of ideas, showcase of goods and services explored the numerous prospects for increased cooperation synergies and cooperation.
Our private sector is commended for proffering succinct recommendations in the respective declarations which should guide our implementation road-map and ensure alignment with market needs.
As I conclude, may I highlight that in Zimbabwe, we say, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo”. A country is built, ruled and prayed for by its own people.
Likewise, the COMESA region must be modernised and industrialised through individual and collective efforts of its citizens. Brick by brick, stone upon stone, step by step; let us continue building integrated, productive inclusive and prosperous economies, which we all want and indeed deserve.
With these remarks, I once again thank you, your Excellencies, for your confidence and trust on Zimbabwe. With unity of purpose, let us deliver on the promise of shared prosperity and a better future for the peoples of Africa.
Long live COMESA unity and solidarity.
Long live African unity.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.