Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini, 16 September 2026 — COMESA has convened a Regional Validation Meeting on the Draft Study Report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies, bringing together Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), development partners, Regional ICT Associations (RICTAs) and experts to validate evidence for future regional policy instruments.
Hosted by Eswatini from 16 to 18 September 2026, the three-day meeting is part of the World Bank-funded Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme. COMESA is working with partners to strengthen safe, responsible and inclusive digital transformation and regional digital market integration.
The Draft Study Report, the initiative’s first phase, provides a regional baseline of the AI and emerging technologies ecosystem. Its validated findings will guide a Regional AI Strategy, Model Policy Guidelines and a Model Regulatory Framework.
The COMESA Telecommunications Officer Mr. Leonard Chitundu, representing Director of Infrastructure and Logistics Dr. Bernard Dzawanda, underscored AI’s role in inclusive growth, better public services, stronger value chains and expanded opportunities across Member States.
“AI can accelerate development and improve well-being across COMESA, but this requires investment in skills, infrastructure and data, alongside safeguards for privacy, security, fairness and accountability,” Mr. Chitundu said.
Delegates will review the study’s methodology, country coverage, findings and recommendations; provide country evidence; identify gaps; and propose improvements. Discussions will cover policy and regulation, skills, innovation and use cases, infrastructure and data, investment, market development, environmental sustainability and responsible AI.
In his opening remarks, Honourable Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, the Eswatini Acting Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, who was the Guest of Honor, said the meeting comes at a critical stage in the regional process, noting that the draft study provides a situation analysis of AI and emerging technologies across the region and will inform the development of a Regional AI Strategy, Model Policy Guidelines and Model Regulatory Framework.
“The quality of this validation therefore matters. The policy and regulatory instruments developed in the next phase must rest on an accurate, credible and shared understanding of the region’s AI landscape,” said Honourable Dlamini.
By the close, participants are expected to agree on report corrections and additions, prioritize AI use cases and interventions, and set directions for the next phase. The process aims to ensure the report reflects regional realities and Member State ownership.
COMESA thanked the Government and people of Eswatini, the World Bank, Member States, regional partners, the IDEA Programme Coordination Unit and the StratejAI Team for supporting the initiative.
ENDS
Click on the link below to download the statement.
