Zimbabwe is set to take over the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) as it hosts the 25th Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare from October 19 to 22, 2026. This significant administrative shift will see President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially assume the leadership of the 21-member regional bloc, succeeding Kenya. The summit aims to advance regional economic integration, industrialisation, and investment under the theme “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Set to assume COMESA chairmanship.
- COMESA Secretariat: Organising the 25th Heads of State and Government Summit.
- Dr. Zhemu Soda (Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services): Announced Cabinet’s approval for hosting the summit.
- Professor Amon Murwira (Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade): Discussed the summit’s agenda to advance regional market integration and AfCFTA.
Event Timeline
- October 13, 2026: Briefing by COMESA Secretary General on summit preparations.
- October 15, 2026: Accreditation for participants begins, with registration for the Business Forum oversubscribed.
- October 19, 2026: COMESA Green Industry Connect and Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition begin.
- October 20, 2026: COMESA Business Forum takes place.
- October 21, 2026: Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
- October 22, 2026: Main Heads of State and Government Summit, where Zimbabwe assumes chairmanship.
