Leaders resolve to harness digital technologies Edgar Lungu
Edgar Lungu

Mr Edgar Lungu

Prosper Ndlovu recently in Lusaka, Zambia
HEADS of State and Governments who attended the 20th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) here last week resolved to bring to an end reliance on raw commodity exports by harnessing digital technologies and value addition to derive leverage from the region’s abundant natural resources.

In their speeches during the opening of the Summit at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the leaders acknowledged that Comesa, and Africa at large was losing substantial value and job opportunities through raw commodity trading.

The gathering was agreed that for the region’s economy to take-off, member States should work together within the framework of economic integration to structurally transform their economies towards high-value products and harmonising their production systems to derive economies of scale that can match global competition.

Zambia President and host Mr Edgar Lungu said for Comesa to make impact in the global economy it should ride on value addition and digital technologies, which will scale up the bloc’s competencies and average earnings beyond mere food stability. “We cannot continue to trade in raw commodities among ourselves, while relying on markets outside the African continent to supply us with finished products from our very own resources obtained from our region,” said President Lungu.

“Our goal should not be limited to assisting individuals to have food on the table, but to create a conducive environment, which will enable our private sector to generate the necessary financing to invest in value addition and make our region a hub for manufactured products.”

Chairperson of the Comesa Authority who is also Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, in his key-note address concurred and stressed the need to preserve peace and stability as an anchor to the success of regional economic integration.

He noted the strides made in ending conflict in countries such as South Sudan, as a major win for progress and development within the region. Going forward, the leaders pledged to enhance efforts towards creating vibrant economies whose benefits will be shared equally across the region and within respective communities.

Malawian President, Professor Peter Mutharika, also weighed in his address and reminded the gathering how Comesa was formed out of the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) some years ago, with envisaged continental economic integration vision, in which sub-regional economic groupings will be used as building blocks.

He said Malawi, as one of the founding member states, will play her ball and ensure the Comesa team wins the battle towards economic integration that benefits all. “What we have always wanted is attaining a deeper integration as a means to social and economic progress in the region. We have learnt that there are times we achieve more by cooperating more than competing,” said President Mutharika.

A senior official from Rwanda, who represented President Paul Kagame, believes the drive towards an expanded regional market will give Comesa and Africa at large room for economic growth.

The official told the gathering that his country was already seized with implanting investment reforms to position the country for increased economic growth within the regional integration model. The country is said to be running initiatives towards digitalisation across sectors.

Similarly, Zimbabwe is undertaking reforms under the new political dispensation led by President Mnangagwa to steer investment under the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra, which has so far seen a review of major investment policies to enhance ease of doing business.

Presidential Affairs Minister, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, who represented President Mnangagwa at the on-going indaba, also said Zimbabwe will play its part and work together with her peers to achieve economic transformation.

Harare has already domesticated value addition and beneficiation within its economic model across sectors.

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