Somalia Reaffirms Push for Regional Integration, Digital Trade at COMESA Summit

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Somalia has renewed its commitment to advancing regional economic integration and digital transformation as Commerce and Industry Minister Mohamud Adan Gesood represented President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit held in Nairobi.

The four-day summit, hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre from October 6 to 9, focused on “Leveraging Digitization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

Leaders from 21 member states discussed ways to strengthen trade, enhance economic cooperation, and promote peace and security. The talks underscored the need to accelerate intra-regional trade and harness digital innovation to support long-term growth and inclusion.

Kenya’s President William Ruto took over the chairmanship of the COMESA Authority from Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye during the meeting. Member states were encouraged to adopt digital trade facilitation tools, including the Electronic Certificate of Origin and the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, to cut costs and improve efficiency.

The summit also featured several side events aimed at boosting regional partnerships. These included the COMESA–EU Horticulture Connect forum, which linked European buyers with regional producers, the 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition attended by more than 300 business leaders and policymakers, and the 20th Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which reviewed the region’s peace and security outlook.

Somalia’s participation reflects its growing engagement with regional blocs as it seeks to expand trade links, attract investment, and integrate into Africa’s digital economy. Officials said Mogadishu views economic cooperation through COMESA as key to unlocking new opportunities for sustainable development.