By Francis Inguzi
President William Samoei Ruto has officially taken over the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), pledging to champion digital transformation, regional integration, and stronger African-led financial institutions.
Speaking at the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, President Ruto said his leadership will be guided by the summit’s theme: “Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”
“The time has come for us to become producers, innovators, and exporters of digital solutions, shaping our own economic destiny,” he said, citing Kenya’s M-Pesa as an example of African innovation with global impact.
Building a Digital Superhighway
The new COMESA Chair outlined an ambitious vision to create a “digital superhighway” connecting all 21 member states through both physical and digital infrastructure. He called for joint investments in regional data centres, secure cloud services, and broadband connectivity to ensure that every community, entrepreneur, and farmer is linked to global markets.
“This digital superhighway must not end in our capitals,” President Ruto said. “It must reach every village, connect every farmer, empower every entrepreneur, and link our landlocked nations to the arteries of global trade.”
To achieve a single digital market, he urged member states to harmonize digital policies, adopt common standards for e-commerce and data protection, and expand interoperable cross-border payment systems. He warned that policy fragmentation remains a major non-tariff barrier to trade and innovation.
President Ruto also emphasized the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies—including automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing—to transform the region’s vast mineral and agricultural resources into high-value products.
Strengthening African Financial Institutions
Addressing the continent’s financing challenges, President Ruto underscored the need to strengthen Africa’s multilateral financial institutions such as the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) and Afreximbank to secure equitable and affordable development funding.
“One of the most viable pathways for Africa, and for regional blocs like COMESA, is to invest in and empower our own financial institutions,” he said.
Kenya demonstrated its commitment by announcing an additional $100 million investment in TDB, following a previous $50 million contribution to Afreximbank. The President noted that such investments enable member states to access long-term financing for up to 25 years at interest rates as low as 2%, proving that “investing in our own institutions yields real, sustainable value.”
Towards a Borderless Africa
While noting progress in intra-COMESA trade, President Ruto called for greater freedom of movement for people, goods, and services. He highlighted Kenya’s recent decision to grant visa-free entry to most African nationals as a step toward realizing a borderless and prosperous continent.
“We are optimistic that our sister countries across Africa will take similar bold steps so that, together, we may unlock the full potential of a connected and prosperous Africa,” he said.
President Ruto concluded by paying tribute to the outgoing Chair, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, for his “wise and steady leadership,” pledging that Kenya will serve as a “dedicated, energetic, and collaborative partner” in building a COMESA that is digital, dynamic, and deeply inclusive.
