The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) was initially formed in 1994 and is now the largest regional community in Africa with 21 member countries. The COMESA Business Council (CBC) was founded in 2005 as a private sector institution and is based in Lusaka, Zambia. The CBC is a link between politics and business and aims to facilitate dialogue between the private sector and other COMESA stakeholders and bodies. The expectations of the members from 21 COMESA member countries, which include the peak organisations of COMESA states as well as national and multinational companies, are immense. The challenge is to meet these demands and to provide adequately trained staff for all the tasks ahead.
The Business Membership Organisation Partnerships (KVP) aims to strengthen the COMESA Business Council (CBC) as the umbrella organisation of the national umbrella associations in the COMESA region in building its capacity. Strong advocacy helps to ensure that COMESA and national governments increasingly take into account the needs of the business community in adapting the framework conditions for regional integration, thereby advancing the implementation of the AfCFTA - African Continental Free Trade Area.
