COMESA Business Council (CBC) - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

The COMESA Business Council (CBC) is a distinguished business member organization and the officially recognized private sector institution of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Established in 2005, it functions as the authoritative voice of the private sector, representing business interests to all policy organs at the regional level. The CBC's mission is to become the premier private sector organization in Africa, fostering competitive and interconnected industries to actively participate in regional and global markets through advocacy, business facilitation, and enterprise development. Its vision is centered on private sector integration, innovation, competition, and development, aiming to guide regional integration towards a successful market-driven economy that supports growth and wealth creation. The establishment of the CBC is mandated by the COMESA Treaty, specifically Article 18-Chapter 23 and 24, as a consultative committee for the business community. It plays a critical role in facilitating trade, improving the business climate, and empowering Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across the COMESA region.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

The COMESA Business Council's strategic focus is to facilitate and strengthen the private sector's role in regional integration and global trade. Its core objectives include:

Enforcing Strategic Advocacy Platforms: Establishing and maintaining platforms for the private sector to voice its concerns and recommendations.

Effective Representation: Ensuring adequate representation of private sector interests in COMESA decision-making processes.

Timely Business Services: Providing essential business services to regional and international stakeholders.

Increasing Private Sector Inclusiveness: Enhancing private sector participation in the regional integration agenda.

Influencing Policy Formulation: Advocating for policies that address constraints to business and competitiveness.

Specialization Areas

The CBC specializes in several key areas to deliver its mandate:

Business Support and Linkages: Connecting businesses within the region and beyond to foster trade and partnerships.

Policy Advocacy: Championing policies that create an enabling business environment and remove trade barriers.

Membership Development: Expanding and strengthening its network of private sector members.

Promoting Competitiveness and Market Access: Focusing on improving market access for all private sector entities, including women and youth-owned businesses.

Digital Financial Inclusion for MSMEs: A significant specialization is the design, development, and deployment of an integrated regional digital retail payments infrastructure that is low-cost, interoperable, and fraud-resistant, to empower MSMEs.

Target Markets

The primary target market for the COMESA Business Council includes all private sector businesses operating within the 21 member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). This encompasses a broad spectrum of enterprises, from large corporations to Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on integrating the latter into digital markets and cross-border trade. It also targets regional and international stakeholders interested in engaging with the COMESA private sector.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

The COMESA Business Council secures funding through various partnerships and grants to execute its programs and initiatives. This broad approach allows it to engage with multiple stakeholders for specific project financing.

October 2023 Grant: The CBC received a grant of £70,000 from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the British High Commission in Lusaka. This funding is specifically allocated to the CBC's Digital Financial Inclusion Program for MSMEs, supporting the development and domestication of a policy framework. The goal is to realize the potential of the COMESA Digital Retail Payments Platform and enable MSMEs to transition from cash-based operations to digital markets, thereby boosting their participation in the digital economy.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

The CBC offers a range of services and is actively developing technological platforms to support businesses within the COMESA region:

Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) Program for MSMEs:

Product name and description: This program aims to design, develop, and deploy an integrated regional digital retail payments infrastructure. The platform is intended to be low-cost, interoperable, and fraud-resistant, specifically facilitating cross-border trade for MSMEs.

Development stage: Currently in the phase of developing and domesticating a policy framework to realize the platform's full potential, supported by recent funding.

Target market/condition: Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across the COMESA region, particularly those reliant on cash-based transactions and seeking to engage in digital and cross-border trade.

Key features and benefits: Enables MSMEs to transition to digital operations, reduces transactional costs, improves security against fraud, enhances market access, and promotes regional trade integration.

Market Intelligence Tools and Platforms:

Product name and description: The CBC provides access to various online tools to help businesses gather market intelligence and make informed decisions. These include:

COMSTAT: A regional statistical database.

ITC MACMAP (Market Access Map): Provides information on tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

ITC EXPORT POTENTIAL MAP: Identifies products, markets, and suppliers with untapped export potential.

ITC INVESTMENT MAP: Helps identify opportunities for foreign direct investment.

ITC STANDARDS MAP: Provides insights into voluntary sustainability standards.

AFRICAN TRADE OBSERVATORY: Offers real-time trade data and analysis.

ITC RULES OF ORIGIN: Explains rules of origin across various trade agreements.

ITC TRADE MAP: Provides trade statistics for product and country analysis.

Development stage: These are established tools and platforms, primarily curated and hosted or provided access through the CBC to its stakeholders.

Target market/condition: Businesses, exporters, investors, and policymakers within the COMESA region seeking to understand market dynamics, identify trade opportunities, and navigate regulatory landscapes.

Key features and benefits: Offers vital data, analysis, and resources for businesses to access and build market intelligence, enhancing their competitiveness and facilitating market entry.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

The COMESA Business Council is deeply committed to leveraging technology to drive regional integration and empower its private sector members.

Core Platforms and Technologies: A significant initiative is the development of a regional digital retail payments platform as part of its Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) Program for MSMEs. This platform emphasizes attributes like low-cost transactions, interoperability across borders, and robust fraud resistance.

Proprietary Developments: The DFI platform, though regional in scope, involves the design and development of specific policy frameworks and technical specifications tailored for the COMESA context. The CBC's "Digital Services Workgroup," formed in 2016, is a key component of this, comprising ICT associations, companies, and digital service providers from COMESA countries. This workgroup focuses on improving the efficiency and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by addressing ICT policy, innovation, and access issues, with digital payment systems being a core effort.

Scientific Methodologies and Technical Capabilities: The CBC incorporates advanced technological elements, including artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite technologies, in its broader initiatives to enhance trade facilitation and innovation within the COMESA region.

Access to Market Intelligence Tools: The CBC also provides its members and stakeholders with access to a suite of established market intelligence platforms, including COMSTAT, ITC MACMAP, ITC EXPORT POTENTIAL MAP, ITC INVESTMENT MAP, ITC STANDARDS MAP, AFRICAN TRADE OBSERVATORY, ITC RULES OF ORIGIN, and ITC TRADE MAP. These facilitate data-driven decision-making and enhance trade competitiveness.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

The COMESA Business Council is managed by a Board of Directors comprising Presidents of national apex business associations from COMESA Member States. The current Board for 2024-2026 includes:

Mr. James Chimwaza (Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry - MCCCI)

Position: CBC Board President (elected May 2024)

Professional background: Decades of experience in Information Technology, specializing in Software Engineering and Infrastructure Supports.

Notable achievements: Previously served as the CBC 2nd Vice President for the 2021–2023 tenure.

Mr. Mucai Kunyiha (Kenya Association of Manufacturers - KAM)

Position: 1st Vice President

Dr. Sherif El Gabaly (Federation of Egyptian Industries - FEI)

Position: 2nd Vice President

Mrs. Munkeni Kiekie Eliane (Federation Des Entreprises Du Congo - FEC)

Position: 3rd Vice President

Engineer Melaku Ezezew (Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association)

Position: Board Member

Mr. Issa Sekitto (Private Sector Foundation Uganda)

Position: Board Member

Dr. Tinashe Manzungu (Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce)

Position: Board Member

Mrs. Namita Jagarnath Hardowar (Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry - MCCI)

Position: Board Member

Mr. Marday Venkatasamy

Position: Immediate Past President (previously CBC Board President)

Her Excellency Ms. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe (Secretary General of COMESA)

Position: Ex officio member of the Board

Mr. Teddy Yagambaram Soobramanien

Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CBC and Secretary to the Board

Professional background: Appointed CEO effective November 1, 2022. Brings over 25 years of international experience in trade negotiations, policy implementation, business development, and organizational management. Holds a Master's Degree in Law (LLM) and a BSc (Hons) Degree in Economics.

Recent Leadership Changes

The COMESA Business Council experienced significant leadership changes during its 11th Annual General Meeting held in May 2024, where a new Board of Directors was elected for the 2024 to 2026 tenure.

New Board President: Mr. James Chimwaza was elected as the new CBC Board President, succeeding Mr. Marday Venkatasamy, who now serves as the immediate past president.

New Vice Presidents: Key appointments included Mr. Mucai Kunyiha as 1st Vice President, Dr. Sherif El Gabaly as 2nd Vice President, and Mrs. Munkeni Kiekie Eliane as 3rd Vice President.

New CEO: Mr. Teddy Yagambaram Soobramanien was appointed Chief Executive Officer of CBC with effect from November 1, 2022. These changes aim to infuse new perspectives and leadership into the council's strategic direction and operational execution for the upcoming term.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

The COMESA Business Council (CBC) demonstrates a clear growth trajectory, actively seeking to expand its professional team to support its evolving initiatives.

Current Hiring Patterns: The CBC regularly advertises opportunities, including consultancies and employment positions, indicating a continuous need for specialized talent. An example includes a "Communications and Business Services Officer" position, highlighting the demand for professionals with private sector experience and strong communication skills, particularly in English and French.

Key Roles Being Recruited: Roles generally align with the CBC's focus on trade, policy, digital transformation, and business facilitation. While specific current openings vary, the broader COMESA Secretariat, which encompasses the CBC, employs over 300 staff members from up to 21 COMESA countries. Typical roles within this environment include legal officers, trade policy analysts, research economists, and communication officers.

Company Size and Expansion Metrics: The CBC operates within the larger framework of the COMESA Secretariat, contributing to its diverse professional environment focused on multilateral trade and regional integration. The ongoing recruitment reflects the council's commitment to strengthening its institutional capacity and responsiveness to member needs, as outlined in its 2023-2025 strategic plan.

Workforce Diversity: The Secretariat's workforce is notably diverse, drawing professionals from across the 21 COMESA member states, fostering a rich multicultural and multi-expertise environment essential for regional initiatives.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

The COMESA Business Council maintains a robust digital footprint to communicate its activities, engage with stakeholders, and disseminate crucial information.

Website as Central Hub: Its official website serves as the primary platform for news, publications, program information, and services. It provides in-depth content on initiatives related to market access for MSMEs, digital transformation, and collaborative efforts.

Brand Messaging and Positioning: The CBC consistently emphasizes its role as the voice of the private sector in COMESA, advocating for regional integration, digital inclusion, and competitive markets. Its messaging highlights its commitment to fostering an enabling business environment.

Community Engagement Strategies:

The CBC utilizes "Latest News" and "Press Releases" sections to update stakeholders on its activities, including workgroup meetings on regional tourism and duty-free trade.

It fosters community interaction through its various workgroups, which bring together corporate companies and private sector associations. These groups are instrumental in forging private sector positions on key COMESA policy issues and facilitating public-private dialogue.

Thought Leadership Initiatives: The council actively engages in thought leadership, hosting discussions and producing content on critical regional challenges such as tackling protectionism, food insecurity, and youth unemployment. The CEO, Teddy Yagambaram Soobramanien, frequently participates in interviews and forums like "Under the Baobab," articulating the CBC's perspectives and strategic interventions.

Notable Campaigns or Content: Continuous efforts around the Digital Financial Inclusion Program for MSMEs and market access initiatives are consistently promoted through its digital channels.

8. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

The COMESA Business Council (CBC) holds significant recognition within the COMESA region and the broader African business landscape.

Regional Apex Body Status: It is formally and legally recognized as the regional apex body of the Private Sector and Business Community in the COMESA region, a mandate enshrined in the COMESA Treaty. This institutional backing gives it unique authority and influence in shaping regional policies.

Grant Recognition: The substantial grant of £70,000 received from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the British High Commission in Lusaka in October 2023 for its Digital Financial Inclusion Program for MSMEs underscores strong external validation of its programs and their perceived potential impact.

Policy Influence and Dialogue: The CBC's consistent role in facilitating policy dialogue and representing private sector interests to COMESA policy organs is widely acknowledged across various governmental and business platforms within