Unlocking Sh1.8 trillion trade potential: Why digitalisation matters for COMESA

Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade Regina Akoth Ombam. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] As Kenya readies to host the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Summit in Nairobi from October 6-9, 2025 under the theme "Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," there is immense promise-and responsibility-ahead. The region cannot afford to treat digital trade as a slogan; it must become the foundation of our economic integration. Comesa's intra-regional trade currently stands at about $14 billion (Sh1.806 trillion), a significant rise over past decades, but still modest relative to the region's potential. Kenya's exports to Comesa countries have similarly grown, from about $1.65 billion (Sh212.85 billion) in 2020 to $2.2 billion (Sh283.8 billion) in recent times. These gains testify to progress-but also point to missed opportunities where trade remains slowed by outdated systems, non-tariff barriers, and paper-based documentation. When payments are fast, transparent, and low-cost, it becomes feasible for small and medium exporters to access regional markets without being overwhelmed by financial friction. At the same time, digital trade must rest on a harmonised policy. Comesa has begun tackling this through initiatives to harmonise non-tariff barrier protocols, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for agricultural commodities among member states. Kenya is part of a pilot project with Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to implement MRAs for key staples including maize, rice, beans, sorghum and groundnuts. These efforts are critical, especially for our farmers, SMEs and women-led businesses, who often pay the heaviest price for delays, ambiguous standards, and fragmented regulations. The upcoming Summit of the Heads of State and Government offers Kenya an opportunity to push for measurable change. First, we must accelerate the deployment of electronic Certificates of Origin (eCO) across Comesa so exporters are not repeatedly delayed by the verification of paper documents. Second, it is essential to strengthen digital financial inclusion programmes-ensuring interoperability, lowering the cost of cross-border transactions, building trust in consumer protection and data privacy. Third, Kenya will advocate for streamlined smart border procedures: border crossings where declarations, inspections and customs happen through interoperable digital systems, reducing both time and corruption risk. For innovators, this is fertile ground. The Comesa market is over 680 million people-a market size that can absorb more processed foods, better agricultural inputs, affordable manufactured goods, and tech solutions. Kenyan firms in agro-processing, logistics tech, fintech, and e-commerce platforms have a chance to scale. When regulations are predictable and digital trade systems robust, they can compete more effectively not only within the region but globally. The management of agriculture value chains deserves special mention. Post-harvest losses, transport inefficiencies and market access issues are no longer intractable problems if we apply digital solutions: cold-chain tracking, online marketplaces, grading and packing technologies, payment guarantees, and real-time logistics data that link farmers directly to buyers while minimising waste. We recognise that for trade to grow in scale and impact, digitalisation must move from pilot projects to fully systemic reform. The summit should mark a pivot point: where member states commit to timelines for digital payments interoperability; where all willing nations adopt e-certificates of origin; where SMEs have confidence that crossing borders won't mean navigating dozens of regulatory checklists; and where trade facilitation is underpinned by smart logistics and safe, reliable digital infrastructure. Kenya has laid much of the foundation. As hosts, we will work to ensure the Summit delivers substance over speeches. Our goal is not merely to showcase Kenya's leadership, but to catalyse reforms that allow businesses, farmers, and innovators from all Comesa countries to flourish, not be trapped by paperwork or delays. If we succeed, the region moves closer to sustainable, inclusive economic growth-and shows what digital trade can do when given the space to lead. As Kenya steps into its COMESA chairmanship, we do so with the resolve to advance trade facilitation, strengthen digital readiness, and safeguard the gains already made. This chairmanship is a commitment to drive reforms that will not be reversed, to deepen integration through practical solutions and to ensure that the region's traders, large and small, benefit from a seamless, modernised trading environment. - The writer is the Investments, Trade and Industry Principal Secretary

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