By: Shiferaw Lakew
Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and emerging eco-tourism opportunities are positioning the country as a premier destination for both the COMESA region and global visitors. Adding to this appeal is the rapid transformation of Addis Ababa, driven by urban renewal and beautification projects that have expanded city attractions and improved infrastructure. These developments were highlighted during COMESA Week, currently being hosted in Addis Ababa, Africa’s political capital.
Chief Executive Officers and representatives from institutions under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have convened in Addis Ababa for the 2nd COMESA Institutions Awareness Forum.
Officially opening the two-day continental forum, Ethiopian Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe (PhD), emphasized that the primary emphasis of the event aligns with Ethiopia’s commitment to economic diversification and resilience. He used the opportunity to highlight key national achievements, including the Green Legacy Initiative—a flagship forest restoration program that has planted over 40 billion trees, increasing forest coverage to 23.6%. He also underscored the National Wheat Initiative and YeLemat Trufat (Bounty of the Basket), among other transformative programs aimed at promoting sustainable development.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe stated that the event reflects a shared recognition that Africa’s sustainable development depends on building resilient, competitive, and inclusive value chains in sectors central to economic growth and livelihoods.
Kapwepwe added that the event aims to deepen this engagement and deliver even greater impact by advancing the strategic pillars of the COMESA Mid-Term Strategic Plan—particularly in integration, industrial development, trade expansion, and resilience.
Delegates were briefed on COMESA’s integrated approach, which includes trade facilitation, investment promotion, risk mitigation, infrastructure modernization, digital financial inclusion, value addition in leather and textiles, and the economic empowerment of women and youth.
Held under the theme “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism,” the event is seen as both timely and relevant. It underscores the region’s urgent need to embrace innovation, resilience, and sustainable industrial development in an evolving global landscape.