MT HAMPDEN — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to accelerate regional industrialisation, value addition and infrastructure development after assuming the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Mnangagwa took over from Kenyan President William Ruto at the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden on Thursday, with Zimbabwe pledging to advance trade, investment and economic integration across the region.

The summit is running under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”

Accepting the chairmanship, Mnangagwa said he did so with “deep humility”, while commending Ruto for his leadership of the regional bloc, particularly his focus on digitalisation and stronger value chains.

“I extend my profound gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson, President William Ruto of Kenya, for steering COMESA with immense purpose, clarity, and a steadfast focus on digitisation and robust value chains,” he said.

Mnangagwa also congratulated Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on his appointment as COMESA vice-chairperson, expressing confidence in the two neighbouring countries’ contribution to the bloc’s economic agenda.

“Together, Zimbabwe and Zambia stand ready to lead our regional bloc toward unprecedented economic growth,” he said.

The President identified transport bottlenecks, limited access to finance and the need for stronger market connections as key challenges that must be addressed to unlock the region’s economic potential.

“To unlock our full potential, we must decisively address transportation bottlenecks,” he said, calling for innovative, long-term financing models for road and rail infrastructure, supported by development partners.

He also called for new financing strategies to support young people, women and small and medium-sized enterprises, saying wider adoption of digital trade systems could help expand economic participation and improve access to regional markets.

Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s chairmanship would prioritise value addition and beneficiation, enabling COMESA member states to extract greater economic returns from their natural resources rather than relying on exports of raw materials.

“During our tenure, we aim to work closely with all member states to fast-track value addition and beneficiation,” he said.

Zimbabwe would also champion agro-processing industrial parks and climate-resilient agriculture as part of efforts to strengthen food security and support industrial growth.

Mnangagwa further emphasised the need to align education and vocational training with the demands of industry, arguing that regional integration must deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.

“The challenge has been set upon us. We must align our skills training and education systems to produce goods and services that directly impact and improve the lives of our people,” he said.

He commended the private sector for contributing to discussions on regional development, describing its participation as essential to advancing investment and industrialisation.

“Integration is only a success when it benefits the ordinary citizen,” Mnangagwa said.

The President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s foreign policy position, declaring that the country remained committed to peaceful international relations and the right to self-determination.

“As we chart our own destination, we remind the world that Zimbabwe remains a friend to all and an enemy to none,” he said.

Mnangagwa’s chairmanship places Zimbabwe at the helm of a regional bloc seeking to deepen economic cooperation, expand intra-African trade and build stronger industrial value chains. The challenge will be translating the summit’s commitments into practical measures that improve trade flows, attract investment and create opportunities across member states.