COMESA, EU reaffirm commitment to institutional strengthening, digital transformation

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutions, accelerating digital transformation, and advancing regional integration. This follows the successful convening of the 5th Programme Steering Committee Meeting of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Institutional Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) held from June 3–4, 2026 at Protea Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia. The convening brought together representatives from COMESA, the European Union, programme management teams, and key stakeholders to review progress achieved under the Institutional Capacity Building Programme and to chart a sustainable path for the successful completion and institutionalisation of programme interventions.

He noted that the ICBP has contributed significantly to strengthening institutional effectiveness, governance systems, digital transformation, monitoring and evaluation, procurement modernisation, resource mobilisation, and operational efficiency within the COMESA Secretariat and its institutions. “The significance of today speaks into strengthening institutional effectiveness, governance, digital transformation, monitoring and evaluation systems, internal controls, procurement modernisation, resource mobilisation, and operational efficiency within the COMESA Secretariat and Institutions,” Haman said. Among the key achievements highlighted were the development and operationalisation of the Online Monitoring and Evaluation System, support to digital transformation initiatives and e-procurement systems, strengthened gender-responsive planning and reporting frameworks, enhanced audit and risk management systems, and extensive capacity-building initiatives for COMESA staff, Member States, and institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, EU Representative, Christiane Haziyo, commended the progress achieved under the Programme and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting COMESA’s institutional transformation agenda. The Institutional Capacity Building Programme has been a catalyst for institutional modernisation within COMESA. The European Union further highlighted significant milestones achieved in digital transformation, financial governance, statistical harmonisation, and stakeholder engagement, noting that these reforms are laying the foundation for a more efficient, data-driven, and accountable regional institution capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses across Eastern and Southern Africa.

[paywall]

Discussions during the meeting led to a broader impact of institutional strengthening beyond the Secretariat itself. Both COMESA and the European Union emphasised the need to complete ongoing digital transformation initiatives, strengthen ownership of new systems, and consolidate gains made under the Programme to maximise long-term impact, as the Institutional Capacity Building Programme enters its final implementation phase. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

[/paywall]