List of All COMESA Countries

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is one of Africa’s largest and most influential regional economic blocs. Established in 1994, COMESA comprises 21 member states, each committed to fostering regional integration through trade, investment, and cooperation. The bloc’s main objective is to create a unified economic region where goods, services, and capital flow freely, benefiting all member states.

COMESA aims to remove trade barriers, create a common customs union, and eventually establish a monetary union with a single currency. With its broad membership across Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA plays a vital role in boosting economic development in the region.

Leadership & Current Governance (2025–2026)

Chairmanship: Kenya assumed the rotating chairmanship of the COMESA Authority on October 9, 2025, for a one-year term. President William Ruto officially succeeded President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi during the 24th Heads of State and Government Summit in Nairobi.
Bureau Members: Zimbabwe currently serves as the Vice Chairman, while Burundi is the Rapporteur.
Secretary General: The current Secretary-General is Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe.

Member States (21 Countries)

COMESA stretches from Tunisia in North Africa to Eswatini in Southern Africa:

East & Central Africa: Burundi, D.R. Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda.
Southern Africa: Eswatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
North Africa: Comoros, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia.

Key Initiatives & 2026 Outlook

Digitalization Agenda: The theme for 2025/2026 is “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”.
Investment Forum: Kenya is scheduled to host the COMESA Investment Forum in Nairobi in March 2026 alongside the Kenya International Investment Conference.
Tripartite Summit: The Cabinet of Kenya has approved preparations for the 4th COMESA–EAC–SADC Tripartite Summit, scheduled for mid-2026.
Trade Targets: COMESA aims to increase intra-regional exports to 25% of total exports by 2026, up from approximately 10% in 2021.
Media Awards: Entries for the 2026 COMESA Media Awards, which recognize journalism promoting regional integration, are currently active.

Trade & Integration Frameworks

Free Trade Area (FTA): 18 member states participate in the COMESA FTA, which allows for zero customs tariffs on originating goods.
Simplified Trade Regime (STR): Specifically designed for small-scale traders with consignments worth USD 2,000 or less, simplifying border procedures and reducing costs.
Yellow Card Scheme: A regional third-party motor vehicle insurance scheme that facilitates the movement of vehicles across the region by providing a single, cross-border insurance cover.

Here is a list of all the COMESA member states: