Nairobi: Regional peace and security have been termed as a key driver of integration and trade for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The bloc has stood as a beacon of regional integration and economic cooperation in Africa since its inception 30 years ago. Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, said that the regional bloc has established itself as one of Africa's most ambitious and successful models of regional cooperation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mudavadi stated that by promoting free trade, harmonising policies, and strengthening connectivity, COMESA has not only advanced economic integration but also demonstrated the power of collective action in building resilience. He explained that Kenya, in 2024, exported to the COMESA region goods worth over USD$ 2.2 billion, underscoring the growing importance of regional trade to economic development. However, Mudavadi highlighted that economic prosperity cannot be sustained without peace, stability, and secure borders, citing challenges such as persistent conflicts, political instability, and other threats that strain collective capacity and ambition.
Speaking in Nairobi during the 20th Ministerial Meeting of COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mudavadi noted that borders meant to unite people have instead become flashpoints of insecurity, disrupting trade corridors and rendering markets inaccessible. He emphasized that the meeting comes at a defining moment for the region, with a need for greater solidarity, innovation, and collective action. Mudavadi expressed concern over the financial toll of conflicts in Africa, with costs estimated at USD$ 18 billion annually and indirect costs raising figures even higher, as per African Union estimates.
Mudavadi further mentioned that conflict-affected countries face significant economic challenges, with growth rates lagging behind more stable nations, leading to long-term losses in income and investment. He stressed the need to enhance COMESA's role as a platform for dialogue and coordinated action in addressing the root causes of insecurity. The meeting occurs amid global shifts, with increasing uncertainty and fragmentation in international relations. Mudavadi called on Foreign Ministers to strengthen unity within COMESA and position the region as a competitive actor on the global stage.
Highlighting recent discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, Mudavadi underscored the importance of regionalism for resilience and sustainable development. He pointed to COMESA as a unique opportunity to deepen intra-African trade and foster innovation in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mudavadi advocated for a bold shift in Africa's financial architecture to bridge annual financing gaps and reduce high borrowing costs.
He proposed establishing an African Credit Rating Agency, operationalising the African Monetary Fund, and developing innovative capital-raising mechanisms as essential steps toward reshaping Africa's financial landscape. Unlocking African pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, worth an estimated USD 2.1 trillion, is critical for mobilising resources for sustainable development. Mudavadi emphasized the need for a new industrialisation paradigm focused on value addition and intra-African supply chains, calling for investments in refining and processing critical minerals.
For Kenya, hosting the COMESA gathering reaffirms its commitment to the bloc's objectives, advocating for true integration that delivers real impact through free movement of goods, services, and people. Mudavadi highlighted Kenya's visa-free policy for all Africans as a step towards dismantling barriers and expanding opportunities. He challenged COMESA to move beyond declarations to actionable commitments that enhance trade facilitation and promote regional peace and security.
Mudavadi concluded by reaffirming Kenya's commitment to working with COMESA Member States and the Secretariat to unlock the region's potential for prosperity and shared progress, transforming COMESA into Africa's shield of peace and engine of prosperity.