Kenya’s Deputy President, Professor Kithure Kindiki, has called on regional leaders and the private sector to accelerate digital integration, value addition, and innovation-driven trade to strengthen competitiveness and inclusive growth across the COMESA region.

Speaking at the official opening of the 18th COMESA Business Forum in Nairobi, the Deputy President said the region’s future lies in “bold and practical collaboration between the public and private sectors” to unlock opportunities through technology and industrial transformation.

He noted that digitalization remains central to unlocking intra-African trade, reducing non-tariff barriers, and creating new economic opportunities for youth and women.

“Digital transformation creates a more dynamic business environment, including promoting initiatives like the system of Electronic Certificate of Origin and smart border concepts to facilitate the flow of goods and services,” said Prof. Kindiki. (Press release)