Background
Tourism is one of the most dynamic and resilient economic sectors globally, and for the COMESA region, it is a proven driver of economic transformation. Currently, the sector contributes 9.7% of regional GDP and supports 9.9% of employment opportunities, with direct and indirect spillovers that stimulate trade, investment, and infrastructure growth across Member States. These impacts are vital in supporting inclusive development, especially for women, youth, and rural communities.
Recognizing this, over 14 COMESA Member States have placed tourism at the center of their national development agendas, cementing it as a vital lever for growth and competitiveness. However, without collective regional coordination, the sector has become highly fragmented, leading to intense competition for tourist traffic rather than shared growth. To unlock its full potential, there is an urgent need for guided, harmonized, and strategic development of tourism as a regional growth sector.
The COMESA Tourism Programme will be implemented through the Industry and Agriculture Division. The division will ensure to operationalize the decision of the 23rd COMESA Summit, which declared tourism a priority sector for accelerating regional integration. Building on the COMESA Medium Term Strategic Plan (2026–2030), where tourism development has been positioned under the Regional Value Chains and Competitiveness Pillar, the Secretariat is ready to elevate the sector to its rightful place as a cornerstone of regional transformation.
Rationale for Investment
Supporting the COMESA Tourism Programme is a strategic decision to advance both regional and global development priorities. Tourism's high multiplier effect translates to significant socio-economic benefits, including:
- Job creation across various formal and informal sectors.
- Increased foreign exchange earnings and strengthened regional trade.
- Improved community livelihoods, particularly in marginalized and rural areas.
- Environmental preservation through sustainable eco-tourism practices.
Moreover, this initiative is strongly aligned with international and continental frameworks:
- UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – which calls for sustainable tourism's role in economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
- African Union's Agenda 2063 – positioning Africa as a premier global tourism destination.
- COMESA's Integration Agenda – enhancing intra-regional collaboration and competitiveness.
By funding this programme, COMESA Member States will demonstrate leadership in promoting tourism not merely as an economic sector, but as an instrument of regional inclusion, integration, sustainability, and prosperity.
Proposed Activities for FY 2026
The Tourism Unit, currently unfunded, seeks initial seed funding to implement strategic starter interventions that will lay the foundation for long-term, large-scale programmes. These catalytic activities are carefully designed to generate quick wins while establishing frameworks for wider regional impact:
| Activity | Description | Required Funds (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Development of Regional Sustainable Tourism Practices | Promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism models adaptable across Member States. | 20,000 |
| Establishment of COMESA Tourism Satellite Accounts | Enable Member States to systematically measure and track tourism's economic impact. | 50,000 |