African leaders root for Science and Technology for faster developement

By GeorgeGeorge Okore:

African leaders attending the 14th Common Market for Eastern and Southern African (COMESA) States in Swaziland have stressed the need to utilize science and technology to ensure faster economic growth and development.

The theme of this year’s Summit is: “Harnessing Science and Technology for Development”. Upon assuming the chairmanship, King Mswati promised to promote the ideas an, principles and objectives of COMESA. King Mswati presidency is the second for the royal South African nation, as he had served as the chairman in early 1990s. He said COMESA has several competitive attributes and natural resources which must be harnessed for the benefit of all peoples. He said the Kingdom of Eswatini will ensure COMESA programs are accorded full support.

Addressing the meeting President Mwai KibakiMwai Kibaki said Kenya is aware of the critical role of science and technology in economic growth and sustainable development. He said his government has embraced information and Communications Technology (ICT) to generate employment, wealth and reduce cost of doing business. He gave an example of MPESA-an innovation in mobile telephony money transfer developed by Kenyans currently serving over 10 million users. The service has enabled millions of unbanked Kenyans to conduct financial transactions both in the rural and urban areas using mobile telephones. These transactions include money transfer, payment of utility bills and mobile banking among others.

Outgoing COMESA chairman President Robert. G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe said the regional body has enhanced closer interaction with business community through various for a. Mugabe asid CIOMESA has stream-lined customs procedures and practices culminating in the establishment of a One-Stop-Border Post at Chirundu on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border. He said efforts are also underway to establish similar trade facilitation initiatives located at other borders, including at Kasumbalesa on the Zambia-DRC border, at Nakonde on Tanzania-Zambia border, at Beitbridge on the South Africa-Zimbabwe border, at Malaba on the Ugandan-Kenyan border, and at Mchinji on the Malawi-Zambia border among others.

King Mswati assumed chairmanship of COMESA at a critical time of the second year of transition towards the full implementation of our Customs Union. Malawi’s president Bingu Wa Mutharika, who is also the chair of the African Union, for assuming COMESA vice chairmanship. The event was also attended by several Heads of State and governments, African Union (AU) chairman Dr Jean PingJean Ping and several development partners.