President William Ruto has called on member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to invest heavily in digital infrastructure, data governance, and human capacity building to unlock the region’s full economic potential.
Speaking while officially opening the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, President Ruto said digital transformation is key to driving regional competitiveness and creating jobs across Africa.
“To transform our common market, we must empower our citizens to thrive in the digital economy,” he said. “Digitalisation will help optimise resource use, improve energy efficiency, and enable modern electrical smart grids.”
He added that digital integration will also enhance cross-border trade efficiency, streamline logistics, strengthen financial inclusion, and create new platforms for small and medium enterprises to access regional and global markets.
The summit brought together several African leaders, including Presidents Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Azali Assoumani of Comoros, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Prime Ministers Ahmed Abiy of Ethiopia, Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini, and Mustafa Madbouly of Egypt.
Also in attendance were African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Youssouf, COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, and African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary-General Wamkele Mene.
