As Kenya prepares to host one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings in recent years, a high-profile conference is set to provide the intellectual foundation for regional leaders’ discussions on Africa’s economic future.
The International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) Conference 2025, scheduled for October 1st to 3rd 2025, will convene just days before the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit taking place on October 7th to 9th 2025, creating a unique opportunity for strategic dialogue on COMESA’s evolving role in continental integration.
Under the theme Enhancing COMESA’s Strategic Positioning and Resilience in the Evolving Global Order, the three-day IRSK conference will bring together approximately 200 participants, including diplomats, policymakers, scholars, business leaders and civil society representatives from across the region and beyond.
As COMESA celebrates 30 years of economic integration, the regional bloc has emerged as a critical player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which represents the world’s largest free trade area since the World Trade Organization’s formation.
“This conference serves as an important precursor to the COMESA Summit,” notes a statement issued by the organizing committee. “It provides a platform for rigorous academic and policy discourse that will inform the strategic decisions our leaders will make.”
COMESA’s importance extends far beyond its original scope as a regional economic community. Comprising 21 member states and representing over 600 million people, the bloc has achieved remarkable growth since its establishment in 1994.
Intra-COMESA trade has surpassed Ksh. 1.8 trillion, while the combined GDP of member states has expanded from $90 billion in 1994 to an impressive $1.13 trillion in 2024 – representing one-third of Africa’s total GDP.
More significantly for continental integration, COMESA has become a cornerstone of AfCFTA implementation. 12 COMESA member states, including Kenya, have ratified the AfCFTA agreement, positioning the bloc as a key driver of continental trade integration.
The recent entry into force of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area in July 2024 has further strengthened this role, creating Africa’s largest integrated market encompassing 29 countries.
According to COMESA officials, ‘the AfCFTA will stimulate intra-COMESA trade by harmonizing integration policies and resolving challenges associated with multiple and overlapping membership’. This harmonization is crucial for eliminating barriers that have historically limited regional trade potential.
For Kenya, COMESA’s success translates directly into economic opportunity and strategic positioning. As one of the bloc’s most economically dynamic members, Kenya stands to benefit significantly from enhanced regional integration.
The country’s strategic location, robust infrastructure, and established trade networks position it as a natural hub for COMESA’s expanding market. Kenya’s port of Mombasa serves as a critical gateway for several landlocked COMESA members, while Nairobi has emerged as the region’s financial and business center.
The upcoming COMESA Summit thus aligns with Kenya’s own digital transformation agenda, leveraging the country’s leadership in mobile money technology, digital governance and fintech innovation to position Kenya as a leading player in COMESA’s digital integration efforts.
The IRSK conference will tackle a range of complex challenges facing the region, from climate change and geopolitical disruptions to technological transformation and changing global trade patterns. Recent global events – including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and shifting supply chains – have underscored the importance of regional resilience and self-reliance.
Conference organizers emphasize that these discussions will be “converted into actionable strategies and policies that will help inform more effective diplomatic approaches to addressing some of the region’s most complex challenges.”
The dialogue will explore how COMESA can leverage opportunities such as the AfCFTA, digital transformation and infrastructure development to address vulnerabilities and reduce external dependencies.
Jointly hosted by COMESA, IRSK, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), and the Acacia Dialogue Center (ADC), the conference represents a convergence of academic rigor and practical policy-making.
The event will feature keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, research presentations, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration among stakeholders. Special attention will be given to ensuring broad geographic representation and the meaningful participation of women and youth from across the region.
“We are bringing together seasoned experts and emerging voices in international relations and diplomacy,” note the organizers. “This rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences will contribute to more nuanced and effective regional strategies.”
