The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is the largest regional economic community in Africa, with 21 member countries. Since 2005, the COMESA Business Council (CBC) has represented the interests of companies and business associations from the region. Based in Lusaka, Zambia, the CBC acts as a bridge between the private sector and policymakers, fostering dialogue between the business community and regional COMESA institutions.
To support the CBC in its mission, BDI has been conducting a Chamber and Association Partnership project (KVP) with CBC since December 2021, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The second phase, launched in November 2024 and running until August 2027, aims to further strengthen the CBC in developing services and advocacy efforts for its member organisations.
The focus of this new project phase includes professionalising the CBC's working groups and raising member awareness of innovative technologies and sustainability topics such as smart farming and renewable energy. The goal is to establish CBC as an effective and sustainable advocacy organisation and to promote economic integration within the COMESA region. This project also contributes to implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
