The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is one of the largest regional economic groupings in Africa, consisting of 21 member states. Established in 1994, COMESA aims to promote regional integration, trade, and economic development within Eastern and Southern Africa. The bloc’s initiatives focus on improving trade, reducing tariffs, and fostering cooperation among its member countries to achieve shared prosperity.
COMESA’s objectives include the creation of a free trade area, customs union, payment union, and, ultimately, a common monetary union with a unified currency. These objectives are centered on enhancing economic cooperation and the free movement of goods, services, and capital within the region, with the ultimate goal of improving the standard of living for all citizens in the region.
Here is a detailed overview of the COMESA member countries and key information regarding COMESA’s objectives:
List of COMESA Member States
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
These countries span across Eastern, Southern, and parts of Central Africa, making COMESA a vital organization for fostering regional economic cooperation and development.
COMESA Objectives
COMESA has several core objectives that guide its operations and drive the vision for regional integration:
- Establishing a Full Free Trade Area
The primary aim of COMESA is to establish and maintain a free trade area that allows the unrestricted movement of goods and services across its member states. This is achieved by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade, which facilitates smoother commerce within the region. - Creating a Customs Union
COMESA aims to create a customs union in which goods and services imported from non-COMESA countries will be subject to a common external tariff. This unified tariff structure ensures fair competition among member states and strengthens the region’s collective bargaining power on the global stage. - Facilitating the Free Movement of Capital
Encouraging investment is a key priority for COMESA. The bloc is working toward the establishment of a common investment area that will create a more favorable investment climate. By removing barriers to investment, COMESA seeks to attract both local and foreign investment, which will stimulate economic growth and job creation across the region. - Gradual Establishment of a Payment Union
COMESA plans to gradually establish a payment union based on the COMESA Clearing House, which will streamline cross-border payments and facilitate easier financial transactions between member states. Ultimately, this will lay the groundwork for the creation of a common monetary union with a shared currency. - Eliminating Visa Requirements
As part of its efforts to improve mobility within the region, COMESA aims to gradually relax and eventually eliminate visa requirements among its member states. This will make travel easier for citizens and contribute to stronger economic ties and cultural exchanges within the region.
COMESA Headquarters and Contacts
The COMESA Secretariat is located at the COMESA Center, located on Ben Bella Road, Lusaka, Zambia. The organization plays a crucial role in facilitating cooperation between member states and ensuring that the objectives of COMESA are met.
- Location: COMESA Center, Ben Bella Road, Lusaka, Zambia
- Phone: +260 211 229725
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
For further information or inquiries, you can reach out to the COMESA Secretariat through the provided contacts.
