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President William Ruto has departed for Burundi on the morning of October 31 to participate in the 23rd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and Government in Bujumbura.
According to a statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, this year’s summit commemorates the 30th anniversary of COMESA, a crucial trading bloc for the continent.
With a combined population of 640 million and a GDP of Ksh.128 trillion, COMESA presents a significant market opportunity for Kenya, which currently holds a 12.4% share, ranking second only to Egypt.
From 2019 to 2023, Kenya’s exports to COMESA increased by 8.9%, highlighting the potential for regional trade collaborations.
During the summit, President Ruto is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions to strengthen strategic partnerships with fellow heads of state.
“He will meet with the Presidents of Egypt and Zambia, as well as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, among others,” the statement noted.
“The talks with Egypt will focus on enhancing the Kenya-Egypt partnership, aiming to boost trade between the two countries.”
“His meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will seek ways to facilitate trade, including the establishment of a Joint Trade Committee to address and resolve non-tariff barriers.”
