The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has unveiled its Investment Map, an interactive digital platform presenting 180 nationally endorsed investment opportunities across seven priority sectors. The launch occurred at the COMESA Investment Forum 2026 in Nairobi, with participation from all 21 member states.
The COMESA Investment Forum 2026 took place from March 24 to 27 in Nairobi under the auspices of President William Ruto, drawing representatives from all 21 member states, regional and international organizations, and over 400 business leaders and investors.
Heba Salama, CEO of COMESA’s Regional Investment Agency (RIA), called the platform a strategic step for regional integration, offering investors a single, user-friendly interface for opportunities across member states, including Egypt. “The Investment Map is not merely a project showcase,” Salama said. “It is part of COMESA’s broader integration agenda, linking investors to opportunities across member states, facilitating cross-border transactions, and fostering regional investment partnerships.”
The forum included business-to-business and business-to-government meetings, workshops, and the annual technical meeting of COMESA Investment Promotion Agencies. Discussions centered on boosting foreign direct investment, improving the business environment, strengthening investment governance, and advancing regional economic integration. Participants reviewed the 2025 COMESA Investment Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which stressed complementing incentives with infrastructure, capacity building, and support for sectors like renewable energy and the digital economy. A Practical Guide to Doing Business in Kenya was also launched.
COMESA Secretary-General Chileshe Kapwepwe praised the forum for turning regional potential into tangible projects, while Mohamed Kadah highlighted the private sector's role in driving growth. The bloc spans 21 member states with a combined GDP exceeding $1trn, positioning it as one of Africa’s largest economic areas for investment.
