By Caroline Washaya Moyo
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Coca-Cola Africa has come on board as a lead sponsor of the 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition, strengthening private-sector participation in a major regional platform seeking to boost intra-African trade, attract investment and accelerate industrialisation across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The announcement was made by COMESA Business Council (CBC) chief executive officer Dr Teddy Soobramanien, who said Coca-Cola Africa’s partnership highlighted the important role of business leadership in advancing regional trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
Held under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialization, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA,” the forum will provide a platform for businesses and governments to discuss ways of reducing barriers to trade, strengthening regional value chains and unlocking investment opportunities.
Coca-Cola Africa’s participation brings the perspective of a business system with an extensive presence across African markets and networks connecting suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other commercial partners.
These networks offer valuable insights into how regional production, sourcing and distribution systems can be strengthened to improve market access, support enterprise growth and create opportunities for businesses across the COMESA region.
For Zimbabwe, hosting the high-level gathering presents an opportunity to position the country as a destination for investment, manufacturing, trade and strategic business partnerships, while showcasing opportunities across its productive sectors.
The forum also comes as African economies seek to deepen intra-regional trade, reduce dependence on imported products and strengthen local industrial capacity through investment, value addition and more competitive production systems.
A key feature of the programme will be the Green Industries Connect, alongside the International Multisectoral Exhibition, bringing together businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders to explore sustainable production, circular economy practices, resource efficiency and responsible industrial waste management.
The discussions will highlight opportunities for businesses to adopt sustainable production methods, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The exhibition will also provide participating companies with opportunities to showcase their products, establish commercial relationships and explore partnerships that could facilitate access to new markets across the region.
Beyond business networking, the forum is expected to contribute to policy discussions aimed at improving the regional business environment and translating integration commitments into practical economic outcomes.
The outcomes of the deliberations will be presented to COMESA Heads of State and Government during the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, providing an avenue for private-sector perspectives and recommendations to inform regional policy decisions.
Coca-Cola Africa’s sponsorship underscores the importance of collaboration between governments and businesses in advancing regional integration and creating an enabling environment for investment and industrial growth.
The broader significance of the forum will lie in its capacity to generate partnerships, strengthen cross-border commerce, expand market access and support enterprises seeking to participate in regional value chains, particularly manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The 19th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition is being organised by the COMESA Secretariat, the COMESA Business Council and the Government of Zimbabwe, in collaboration with ZimTrade.
The gathering is expected to reinforce regional efforts to build a more integrated and competitive market in which investment, industrialisation and cross-border trade contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The forum, scheduled for October 19–21, 2026, at the Harare International Conference Centre, will bring together more than 1,000 business leaders, investors, policymakers and development partners from across the COMESA region and beyond.
