Zimbabwe is set to host the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit in October 2026, a move that will see the nation assume the chairmanship of the regional trading bloc. The announcement came during a post-cabinet briefing on Tuesday, July 15, 2026, where Minister of Information Soda Zhemu confirmed Cabinet’s approval for hosting the high-level gathering.
The summit, scheduled for October 22 in Harare, is expected to focus on critical issues such as industrialisation, investment promotion, and regional economic integration. This event marks a significant moment for Zimbabwe, which will take over the COMESA Chairmanship for the 2026–2027 period, succeeding Kenya.
Key Players Involved
- Zimbabwean Cabinet: Approved the hosting of the summit.
- Minister of Information Soda Zhemu: Announced the Cabinet’s decision.
- COMESA Member States: Will participate in the summit to discuss regional economic strategies.
Event Timeline
- July 15, 2026: Zimbabwean Cabinet approves hosting of the 25th COMESA Summit.
- October 20, 2026: COMESA Business Forum to take place in Harare.
- October 21, 2026: Meeting of COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs to finalize policy matters.
- October 22, 2026: 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare.
- 2026–2027: Zimbabwe assumes the COMESA Chairmanship.
