President William Ruto has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) during the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.

In a statement posted on X on October 9, 2025, Ruto expressed his gratitude, saying, “I accept the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) with gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of duty.”

The handover ceremony, attended by leaders from the 21-member bloc, marked a significant moment as Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye passed the gavel, concluding his tenure.

Ruto paid tribute to Ndayishimiye’s leadership, noting, “I commend President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, whose wise leadership has driven remarkable progress. I pledge to build on his achievements and work with every Member State as a committed and collaborative partner.”

Digital transformation and integration

In his X post, Ruto highlighted a collective approach, stating, “Together, we will advance COMESA’s vision of shared prosperity, deeper integration, and true transformation. Let us shape COMESA into a digital, dynamic, and inclusive regional bloc that embodies the promise of a rising Africa.”

Ruto underscored Nairobi’s role as a regional hub, noting, “Nairobi is not only the political and economic heart of Kenya but also a vibrant regional hub that connects Africa to the world, a centre of innovation, trade, and diplomacy.”

He linked the summit to Kenya’s Vision 2030, saying, “Hosting the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government underscores Kenya’s strong commitment to regional integration. It also advances our national development blueprint, which envisions transforming Kenya into a middle-income country through regional integration and cross-border cooperation.”

Call for stronger regional unity

Addressing the global context, Ruto said, “The nature of 21st-century globalisation has strengthened the case for regional integration as a pathway to sustainable economic growth.”

He urged unity, stating, “In Africa, there is a growing consensus that by merging our economies and pooling our capabilities, endowments, and energies, we can overcome the daunting challenges that hinder our continent’s transformation.”

He positioned COMESA as a cornerstone for continental integration, declaring, “Regional Economic Communities, like COMESA, remain a central pillar for achieving sustainable economic growth and continental integration.”

Ruto also highlighted the human dimension of integration, saying, “COMESA’s strength lies not only in economic integration but also in social and human integration. At the heart of our mission are our people and our shared determination to bridge the economic and social gaps that divide our region.”

Reflecting on COMESA’s history, he added, “Over the years, COMESA’s integration journey has not only facilitated trade but also fostered peace, stability, and resilience across borders.”

He set ambitious targets, stating, “The ultimate goal of integration in Africa must be long-term sustainable growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and improved living standards for our people.”

Investing in digital infrastructure

On the summit’s theme, Ruto said, “The theme of this year’s summit, ‘Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,’ could not be more timely.”

He outlined opportunities amid global challenges, noting, “The world is facing a multitude of complex and interconnected challenges, from emerging trade tensions and rising protectionism to the ongoing disruptions of global supply chains.”

He added, “Digitalisation offers immense potential to drive sustainability by optimising resource use, improving energy efficiency, enabling smart grids, and fostering circular economies.”

He emphasised a people-centred approach, adding, “Digital transformation is not just about technology; it is about people, jobs, opportunities, and competitiveness.”

He advocated for investment, stating, “COMESA must therefore take deliberate steps to invest in digital infrastructure, data governance, and human capacity building, ensuring that our citizens are empowered to thrive in the digital economy.”

Concluding the summit, Ruto called for collective resolve, saying, “The 24th COMESA Summit provides us with an opportunity to consolidate our collective efforts and take charge of our region’s destiny. Let us leave this summit with concrete commitments to scale up intra-COMESA trade, foster industrial linkages, support innovation, and strengthen our resilience against external shocks.”

He envisioned a transformed region, stating, “Together, we can transform COMESA into a globally competitive region; one that focuses on value addition rather than raw exports, promotes prosperity for all, and pursues growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and transformative.”clusive, and transformative.”