The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a regional economic organization established in 1994. It includes 21 African member states and aims to enhance regional integration by promoting trade and the development of natural and human resources, benefiting all people within the region.
COMESA Objectives
- Free Trade Area: Establish and maintain a comprehensive free trade area that allows the unrestricted movement of goods and services within COMESA, while removing tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
- Customs Union: Develop a customs union where goods and services imported from non-COMESA countries will be subject to a single, agreed-upon tariff (Common External Tariff) across all member states.
- Investment and Capital Movement: Encourage free capital movement and investment through a common investment area, fostering a favorable investment climate in the COMESA region.
- Monetary Union: Gradually establish a payment union based on the COMESA Clearing House, ultimately leading to a common monetary union with a shared currency.
- Visa Requirements: Work towards the gradual relaxation and eventual removal of visa requirements within the COMESA region.
List of All COMESA Countries
Here is a list of all the member states of COMESA:
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
COMESA Headquarters and Contacts
- Location: COMESA Center, Ben Bella Road, Lusaka, Zambia
- Phone: +260 211 229725
This summary outlines the objectives and member states of COMESA, emphasizing its role in fostering regional integration and cooperation among African nations.
