By Maricho Media
HARARE, 22 October 2026 — Zimbabwe will prioritise climate-resilient agriculture, agro-processing and regional food security during its 2026–2027 chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
President Emmerson Mnangagwa outlined the agenda while accepting the bloc’s chairmanship at the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare.
“Climate change mitigation and the green agenda are vital aspects to guarantee national and regional food security, and sovereignty,” President Mnangagwa said.
He pledged to champion agro-processing, cross-border agro-industrial parks, harmonised supply chains and measures to protect agriculture against climate shocks.
The commitments place agricultural value addition at the centre of Zimbabwe’s regional integration priorities, with an emphasis on transforming raw produce into higher-value goods and strengthening links between producers, processors and markets.
President Mnangagwa also called for faster industrial production, better product standards and action on transport bottlenecks, pricing challenges and non-tariff barriers that constrain regional commerce.
Trade facilitation remains another priority. He urged COMESA members to simplify border procedures and expand digital trade systems, steps that could help agricultural businesses reach buyers across national boundaries.
Access to finance emerged as a concern, particularly for women, young entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium enterprises. President Mnangagwa appealed for stronger funding models and affordable long-term investment in roads, rail, energy and digital networks.
He noted that intra-COMESA exports had risen from approximately US$2 billion when the free trade area was established in 2000 to more than US$14 billion in 2025. The figures cover regional exports generally, rather than agricultural trade alone.
Zimbabwe’s plans form part of efforts to implement COMESA’s 2026–2030 Medium-Term Strategic Plan.
Delivery will depend on sustained regional cooperation.
For the region’s farmers and agribusinesses, the test will be whether these pledges translate into resilient production systems, accessible financing, functioning trade corridors and stronger markets for processed agricultural products.
