President Ruto on arrival at Melchoir Ndadaye International Airport was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi Albert Shingiro.
More than 400 representatives from the private sector, small-scale traders, policymakers and civil society are taking part in the annual summit.
The Bujumbura meeting is paying attention to the acceleration of regional integration through the development of value chains in climate-resilient agriculture, mining and tourism.
President Ruto is expected to appeal for combined efforts from the 21-member trading bloc to boost intra-regional commerce and deepen economic growth.
President William Ruto travelled to Burundi on Thursday morning, October 31, to attend the 23rd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and Government in Bujumbura.
In a statement by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, this year’s summit will celebrate the 30th anniversary of COMESA which marks a vital trading bloc for the continent.
With a combined market of 640 million people and a GDP of Ksh.128 trillion, COMESA provides a substantial market for Kenya which currently holds a 12.4 per cent share of the regional market, second only to Egypt.
Between 2019 and 2023, Kenya’s exports to COMESA grew by an 8.9 per cent margin, indicating the potential for regional trading partnerships.
During the summit, President Ruto is expected to engage in bilateral trade talks as he enhances strategic partnerships with other heads of state.
“He is also scheduled to meet with the Presidents of Egypt and Zambia, as well as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, among others,” the statement read in part.
“The discussions with Egypt will focus on enhancing the Kenya-Egypt partnership, with a joint commitment to increase trade between the two nations.”
“His bilateral meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will explore avenues to facilitate trade, including the formation of a Joint Trade Committee to address and resolve non-tariff barriers.”