NAIROBI (SONNA) – The Federal Republic of Somalia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing regional economic integration and digital transformation, as the country’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohamud Adan Gesood, represented President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the 24th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit. The high-level meeting, which took place from October 6 to 9, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on the theme of “Leveraging Digitization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”
The summit brought together leaders from 21 member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to deliberate on crucial issues of trade, economic cooperation, and peace and security. Discussions centered on accelerating intra-regional trade and promoting digital innovation as a foundation for sustainable, inclusive growth across the region.
Key outcomes of the summit included the formal handover of the COMESA Authority chairmanship from Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye to Kenya’s President William Ruto. Leaders at the event were urged to adopt and implement digital trade facilitation instruments, such as the Electronic Certificate of Origin and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, to enhance efficiency and reduce the costs of trade.
In addition to the main summit, the week-long event featured several key meetings designed to strengthen regional partnerships. These included:
- COMESA-EU Horticulture Connect: A forum bringing together European buyers and regional producers to discuss market requirements and standards.
- 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition: A platform where over 300 business leaders, policymakers, and innovators gathered to share insights, showcase products, and forge new partnerships.
- 20th Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs: A session dedicated to reviewing the peace and security landscape within the COMESA region and guiding collective responses to emerging challenges.
The Somali delegation’s participation highlights the nation’s proactive engagement in regional blocs as a strategy to bolster its economic potential and foster collaboration on a continent-wide scale. By actively participating in these discussions, Somalia is positioning itself to benefit from and contribute to the collective efforts to create a more prosperous and digitally interconnected African economy.
