The summit is being held under the theme “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA,” with discussions focusing on strengthening regional economic integration, attracting investment and expanding industrial production across the bloc’s 21 member states.

Leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen regional value chains in agriculture, manufacturing and critical minerals, with an emphasis on increasing local value addition and reducing reliance on exports of unprocessed commodities.

The summit is also expected to launch the COMESA Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, which will guide efforts to deepen market integration, improve trade resilience and address barriers to cross-border commerce.

Discussions will also consider ways to align COMESA’s regional trade programmes with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand trade and investment opportunities across the continent.

The Heads of State and Government summit follows meetings of foreign ministers and private sector representatives, including the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition, which brought together businesses, regional investors and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to discuss value addition, climate-smart investment and digital trade.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to take over the COMESA chairmanship for 2026–2027 from Kenyan President William Ruto under the bloc’s rotational leadership arrangement.

Rwanda is among the 21 member states of COMESA, a regional bloc that seeks to promote economic integration through trade, investment and cooperation among its members.