What You Need to Know
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) now accounts for 67% of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Africa, with a historic surge of 154% in 2024. This growth is attributed to rising investor confidence and significant projects in the region, despite ongoing global economic challenges.
Africa-Press – Kenya. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) is strengthening its position on the global investment map, now accounting for approximately 67 per cent of all foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Africa.
This was revealed during Comesa Investment Forum 2026 held alongside the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO) in Nairobi.
Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Heba Salama, CEO of Comesa’s Regional Investment Agency (RIA), stated that FDI inflows into Comesa member states recorded a historic surge of 154 per cent in 2024, reaching $65 billion.
This is despite global economic challenges that have persisted since the beginning of the decade.
She attributed this growth to rising investor confidence and large-scale catalytic projects in the region, driving capital flows.
Comesa’s share of global FDI inflows doubled from two to four per cent, while its share of FDI directed to developing economies increased from three to seven per cent.
As a result, the region now accounts for about 67 per cent of total FDI inflows into Africa.
Project finance in the region also witnessed notable growth, nearly doubling to $79 billion, while Greenfield investments maintained strong performance, exceeding $77 billion.
Sectoral trends point to a shift in investment priorities, with construction emerging as a major growth driver, recording nearly a fivefold increase in investment.
Energy and gas supply investments have grown by 22 per cent, while renewable energy has increased by 67 per cent.
Social sectors are also gaining traction, with health and education investments rising by 130 per cent.
However, investment has declined in food and agriculture, as well as water and sanitation, while the transport sector continues to attract lower capital than required, highlighting areas that will need targeted policy attention and investor engagement.
On the first day of the conference, Kenya announced 20 signed deals securing investments worth over U$2.9 billion across key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, ICT, real estate, and energy from global and local investors.
During the CIF Forum, two key investment facilitation tools aimed at enhancing investor access to opportunities and data across the region were launched.
Kenya unveiled the Investor’s Guide to Kenya, providing comprehensive insights into the country’s investment landscape, priority sectors, and regulatory framework, while the Comesa Investment Map, a digital platform, is designed to showcase bankable projects and investment opportunities across member states.
Speaking during the CIF, the Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Abubakar, emphasized that unlocking the region’s full potential will require deliberate structural reforms.
“Market size alone is insufficient. We must dismantle non-tariff barriers, harmonize standards, streamline customs processes, and align regulatory frameworks,’’ he said.
John Mwendwa, CEO of Invest Kenya, convening the forum under KIICO 2026, reinforced the shift from country-level investment promotion to a regional approach.
“Today, we are joined by 82 delegates from the 16 COMESA countries and a significant number of international investors. Picture this: a single market of 600 million people, hungry for integration”.
“The conversation has evolved. It is going beyond individual country pitches to regional delivery: integrated value chains, coordinated policy environments, and joint execution.”
Salama, who stressed that sustaining this momentum, requires focusing on key strategic priorities, including strengthening value-added productive sectors and expanding digital infrastructure, echoed this.
These priorities align with Comesa’s strategy for the 2026–2030 period, which aims to deepen economic integration and promote sustainable investments across member states.
The trading bloc’s 21 member states have a combined GDP exceeding $1 trillion, making it one of the largest economic blocs in Africa in size and investment potential.
Its membership includes Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) was established to promote regional economic integration and development among its member states. Over the years, Comesa has focused on enhancing trade and investment opportunities, which has led to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into the region. Recent trends indicate a shift in investment priorities, with significant growth in sectors like construction and renewable energy, reflecting the evolving economic landscape in Africa.
