COMESA Boosts Local Supply Chains, Reduces Global Imports
Strengthening Regional Value Chains in Eastern and Southern Africa
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is exploring strategies to protect local industries from the influx of imports from China, India, and Europe. This initiative is a central focus of the upcoming 24th COMESA Summit, scheduled to take place in Nairobi from October 6–9.
The summit aims to harness digital technologies to enhance regional value chains, making local businesses more efficient and competitive. Kenya, as the COMESA focal point, has been at the forefront of these discussions. Tobias Odongo, Kenya’s representative at COMESA, emphasized that the bloc plans to counter the dominance of imports by empowering businesses within the 21-member region.
Odongo highlighted that while it is not possible to block imports from China or Europe due to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the focus should be on building the capacity of local producers to create quality goods that can compete globally. This starts with strengthening value chains, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing.
Digital Platforms and Trade Efficiency
The summit will spotlight how digital platforms can help African industries access raw materials, tap into new markets, and innovate efficiently. COMESA, which represents a population of over 640 million and a GDP of $1 trillion, views supply chain integration as essential for economic resilience.
Currently, intra-COMESA trade remains relatively low, hovering around 10–15 per cent. This is largely due to overlapping production, non-tariff barriers, and weak infrastructure links. To address these challenges, Odongo mentioned that the bloc is working on harmonizing customs operations, simplifying cross-border trade for small-scale traders, and standardizing goods to ensure fair competition across markets.
Kenya, which holds a 60 per cent market share within COMESA, sees stronger regional value chains as vital for protecting jobs and industries domestically. Odongo explained that digital frameworks could help manufacturers locate raw materials, understand their quality, and manage payments effectively.
Focusing on Horticulture and Inclusive Growth
Horticulture is one area of focus during the summit, with EU buyers expected to engage Kenyan exporters and visit farms near Nairobi. The summit, themed “leveraging digitalisation to deepen regional value chains for sustainability and inclusive growth,” aims to open opportunities for youth and SMEs groups often sidelined in regional trade.
With smartphones now widely available, young people and small businesses can access real-time information on sourcing, pricing, and innovation. This approach is seen as a way to make trade more inclusive.
Balancing Global and Regional Trade
The summit comes at a time when member states are grappling with how to balance sovereign trade deals with global partners and the need to strengthen regional blocs. While countries such as Kenya have pursued bilateral arrangements with Europe and the US, COMESA emphasizes that such moves should not weaken regional integration.
Every country has the sovereignty to negotiate its own deals, but Odongo stressed that increasing intra-regional trade would have a greater impact on local economies than relying on distant markets.
Key Sessions and Future Directions
The four-day summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) will bring together heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and foreign buyers. Key sessions include the COMESA–EU horticulture connect, a regional business forum, and exhibitions showcasing locally produced goods.
Recommendations from the business community and foreign affairs ministers’ deliberations will feed into the heads of state summit on October 9, where new policy directions for regional trade integration are expected.
As Kenya assumes chairmanship, the challenge is clear—strengthen regional supply chains, harness digitalisation, and give our companies the tools to compete on equal footing with imports.
