On assuming the chairmanship of the regional bloc, Kenya has urged for the digital trade systems adoption across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki stated that the use of technology in trade facilitation would be very instrumental in holding trade within the bloc, which presently is at 17 percent.
At the handover ceremony, Prof. Kindiki remarked that the complete automation of documentation, payments, and logistics would be the main factor to significantly reduce the trade transaction costs by at least 30 percent hence, members would be in the position to do cross-border trade with ease.
“Digital systems, besides cutting delays and inefficiencies, will also improve the level of transparency and competitiveness in the region,” he stated.
It is worth noting that the decision of Kenya to Chair the COMESA comes at a time when member states are looking for new ways to speed up regional integration and have a strong positioning in global markets.