Advancing inclusive industrialisation, investment and regional integration across COMESA.
Connecting policy, industry, investment and enterprise across the COMESA region.
The 19th COMESA Business Forum & Exhibition will bring together policymakers, business leaders, investors, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs, business associations and regional institutions for three days of high-level dialogue, business connections and investment engagement from 19–21 October 2026.
A dedicated dialogue and business linkages session focused on green industry, leather and circular value chains.
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High-level public-private dialogue to agree on practical actions that accelerate trade, industrialisation, investment and competitiveness.
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A structured space for business-to-business, business-to-government and business-to-investor engagement.
Learn MorePublic and private sector leaders convene in Harare to advance regional priorities, strengthen strategic partnerships, mobilise investment, and translate dialogue into meaningful commercial action.
Meet the policymakers, business leaders, investors and institutional leaders contributing to the conversations shaping trade, investment and enterprise across the COMESA region.
Secretary General
COMESA Secretariat
Assistant Secretary General (Admin and Finance)
COMESA Secretariat
Assistant Secretary General
COMESA Secretariat
Co-Founder
EduNova Solutions
Board President
COMESA Business Council
Secretary General
MCCI
Group Executive Director, Corporate Affairs
Trade Kings Group of Companies
Group President and Managing Director
Trade Development Bank
More speakers will be announced
Explore the ProgrammeThe Forum agenda concentrates on the structural issues shaping the competitiveness, resilience and future growth of COMESA enterprises.
Trade, Mobility & Market Resilience
Accelerating trade facilitation, regulatory convergence, corridor performance and the movement of goods and businesspersons.
Productive Capacity for Trade Competitiveness
Building competitive regional value chains across agriculture, manufacturing and strategic industries.
Capital for a Stable Market
Unlocking trade finance, investment facilitation, de-risking mechanisms and inclusive financial systems.
AI, Data & Innovation
Scaling digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data systems and innovation for enterprise competitiveness.
Explore three interconnected activities spanning green industrialisation, high-level public-private dialogue and a three-day international exhibition.
Advancing green industrialisation, circular value chains, investment and sustainable regional production.
Participant registration and accreditation.
Brief orientation by the Master of Ceremonies and overview of the day’s agenda.
Official opening with national and COMESA anthems, institutional welcome remarks, partner remarks and keynote address.
Trade and investment opportunities for leather and the circular economy.
Official group photograph followed by networking and refreshments.
Deepening local value addition, building competitive regional leather brands, and identifying investment and policy priorities required to scale sustainable and circular leather manufacturing across COMESA.
Examining the policy landscape, financing and investment opportunities, including the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme.
Refreshments and networking.
Fireside conversation with Dr. John Mukuka, CEO of the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA).
Business models and projects covering circular enterprise, green job creation, women and youth, blended finance and SME access to circular markets.
Financing, investment, market and trade opportunities and next steps for circular economy initiatives and the regional leather strategy.
Summary of key recommendations and vote of thanks.
Closing networking session and refreshments.
High-level public-private dialogue focused on practical actions for regional trade, investment, industrialisation and competitiveness.
Participant accreditation, arrival, coffee and networking.
Participant seating and institutional, sponsor and Zimbabwe trade and investment video presentations.
National and COMESA anthems, institutional remarks, keynote address by the Guest of Honour and official photo session.
High-level tour of the Multi-Sectoral International Exhibition followed by a tea break.
High-level dialogue on efficient borders, predictable regulations, movement of businesspeople, transport-corridor resilience, regulatory convergence and digital trade systems.
Fireside conversation with Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya and Ambassador Erastus Mwencha.
Strengthening regional value chains, value addition, agro-processing, manufacturing and productive sectors to increase competitiveness and connect enterprises to regional and global markets.
Official launch of the COYWA Project.
Lunch and networking.
Fireside conversation with Dr. Willard Mweemba, Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission.
Mobilising capital, reducing investment risk and widening financing opportunities for businesses seeking to expand production, trade across borders and participate in regional value chains.
Exploring digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and data-driven innovation to strengthen productivity and regional competitiveness.
Coffee and networking.
Highlighting instruments, programmes and platforms provided by partners and COMESA institutions to support trade, investment, industrialisation and private-sector development.
Presentation and adoption of the COMESA Business Forum Communiqué followed by closing remarks.
Running throughout all three days of the Forum, the exhibition provides a regional platform for business showcases, institutional engagement, investment promotion and commercial connections.
The exhibition runs in parallel with the Green Industries Connect on 19 October and the Business Forum on 20 October, continuing through its final day on 21 October.
The 19th COMESA Business Forum is supported by organisations committed to strengthening trade, enterprise and investment across the region.
Main Sponsor of the 19th COMESA Business Forum & Exhibition.
Advancing green industrialisation, sustainable production and competitive regional value chains across COMESA.
A dedicated dialogue and business-linkages platform focused on green industry, leather and circular value chains, connecting enterprises, policymakers, investors and institutions around practical opportunities for regional industrial growth.
Strengthening regional value addition, sustainable production and competitive market linkages.
Advancing circular production, resource efficiency and more sustainable packaging value chains.
Supporting responsible electronics value chains, recovery, recycling and circular-economy opportunities.
Three days connecting policymakers, business leaders, investors and regional institutions around trade, investment and regional competitiveness.
