Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Dr Justin Nsengiyumva, has urged member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to implement regional economic agreements, remove barriers to trade and increase cross-border investment.
He made the call in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while representing President Paul Kagame at the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Addressing delegates, Nsengiyumva said countries could not achieve their economic ambitions independently and needed to work together to build a regional market that creates opportunities for citizens and businesses.
“As the global economy becomes increasingly competitive, no country can achieve all these goals alone. We must deepen our integration, pool our strengths and develop a regional market that enables our citizens and investors to prosper,” he said.
He stressed the need to move beyond signing agreements to implementing them, particularly by eliminating trade barriers, streamlining customs procedures and improving regulations governing trade among COMESA member states.
“We must move from agreements to swift implementation. Greater efforts are needed to remove barriers to trade, simplify customs procedures, improve trade regulations, harmonise national systems and strengthen mechanisms for resolving trade-related disputes among member states,” he said.
The prime minister also called for increased cross-border investment, easier access to capital and stronger partnerships linking the private sector with business opportunities across the regional bloc.
Industrialisation and technology key to economic growth
Nsengiyumva highlighted industrial development as essential to creating jobs, expanding economic activity and reducing dependence on imported goods, including agricultural products and other manufactured items.
He said greater use of technology could facilitate cross-border trade, modernise customs services and help traders access market information more easily.
He also recalled that Rwanda hosted a stakeholder consultation in August 2026 to help shape COMESA’s strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) and expand citizens’ participation in the digital economy.
The prime minister said COMESA member states faced a choice between remaining vulnerable to global political and economic uncertainties and working together to build a more resilient and prosperous region.
He emphasised that the common market should do more than bring countries together; it should strengthen their collective capacity through cooperation, as persistent barriers and divisions affect all member states.
The 25th COMESA Summit was held under the theme “One Market, One Future” and focused on inclusive industrial development, investment and deeper regional economic integration.
The meeting seeks to strengthen COMESA’s competitiveness in global markets, expand employment opportunities and increase trade among member states.
