Burundi will host the 23rd COMESA Heads of State Summit on October 31, 2024, following the signing of a Host Agreement between the Burundian government and the COMESA Secretariat. The agreement was signed in Bujumbura on August 13, 2024, by Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Albert Shingiro, and COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe.
The Summit, which will review COMESA integration and discuss regional priorities, will be centered around the theme “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism.” This theme aims to address challenges in climate-resilient agriculture and promote value addition in raw materials.
Burundi’s Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro highlighted the alignment of the Summit’s focus with Burundi’s national development goals, particularly in climate-smart agriculture. The Summit will also mark a leadership transition, with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye assuming the COMESA chairmanship from Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema.
The event is expected to enhance Burundi’s visibility as an investment hub, particularly in agriculture, mining, and tourism. It will also feature a COMESA Business Forum from October 28-30, 2024, focusing on transforming the region into a competitive economic zone through public-private dialogues.
Burundi’s regional trade has seen improvements, with a 12% increase in exports and a 15% decrease in imports from the COMESA region in 2023. The Summit and accompanying Business Forum are anticipated to boost trade and investment further. The last Summit was held in Zambia in June 2023.
