Ruto arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Wednesday evening to join other heads of state and government for the summit

President William Ruto arrives in Harare, Zimbabwe, ahead of the 25th Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government/PCS

President William Ruto has arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, ahead of the 25th Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government, where he is expected to hand over the bloc’s chairmanship to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.

He was received by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and other senior government officials.

Ruto said the summit will focus on deepening regional integration, strengthening peace and security, accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advancing industrialisation and unlocking the economic potential of Africa’s natural resources through value addition.

The handover will mark the end of Kenya’s tenure at the helm of the regional economic bloc after Ruto took over the chairmanship in 2025 from Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye.

The summit brings together leaders from the 21-member bloc to deliberate on regional trade, industrialisation, investment and economic integration.

This year’s meeting is being held under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”

The leaders are expected to review progress in implementing the bloc’s economic integration agenda and explore ways of strengthening trade among member states.

COMESA seeks to promote economic prosperity through regional integration, trade liberalisation and cooperation among member states.

The bloc provides a platform for countries to coordinate policies aimed at easing cross-border trade, expanding markets for local producers and attracting investment.

Kenya has been pursuing expanded regional markets as part of efforts to grow exports, create jobs and strengthen commercial ties with neighbouring countries.

Kenya's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Gertrude Angote said Wednesday that Kenya is looking forward to strengthening regional ties and advancing COMESA’s continental objectives as Ruto prepares to hand over the chairmanship.

Ruto’s tenure has placed Kenya at the centre of discussions on regional economic cooperation, with the summit providing an opportunity for member states to assess progress and set priorities for the next phase of integration.

The transition to Zimbabwe’s leadership comes as African countries intensify efforts to boost intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, which seeks to establish a single market for goods and services across the continent.

Regional integration remains a key priority for economies seeking to reduce trade barriers, strengthen manufacturing and improve the movement of goods across national borders.