Harare, October 22, 2026 — President William Ruto has handed over the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ending Kenya’s one-year leadership of the 21-member regional economic bloc.Peopledaily
The handover took place on Thursday during the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government at the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden, Harare. Ruto transferred the instruments of power to Mnangagwa, who will lead the organisation for the 2026–2027 period. Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema was named Vice Chairperson.X
Ruto assumed the chairmanship in October 2025 at the 24th summit held in Nairobi, succeeding Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye. In his outgoing remarks, he thanked fellow heads of state for their support during his tenure.Peopledaily
“On behalf of the Republic of Kenya and as outgoing Chairperson of the COMESA Authority, I thank fellow heads of state and government for your support, for cooperation and for the privilege you gave me to serve our region. I do not take that privilege for granted,” Ruto said.Peopledaily
He expressed full confidence in his successor, urging member states to translate the bloc’s ambitions into tangible economic gains. “As I hand over the chair, I do so with full confidence in my brother, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Under his stewardship and with the support of every member state, I trust that we will turn the ambition of one market, one future into progress our people can see and feel,” Ruto added.Peopledaily
The summit was held under the theme “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.” Discussions focused on deepening regional integration, accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting industrialisation, increasing intra-COMESA trade, and boosting investment.Kbc
COMESA Secretariat noted that Ruto’s leadership had advanced the agenda of digitalisation and deeper regional value chains. Mnangagwa, in accepting the role, pledged to work with all member states to consolidate gains made so far and drive stronger trade, investment and closer integration across the region.X
The transition marks a routine leadership rotation among COMESA member states as the bloc continues efforts to create a more integrated market that supports economic growth, reduces trade barriers, and expands opportunities for businesses across Eastern and Southern Africa.