The Comesa Business Council (CBC) has appointed Mr. James Chimwaza as President of the CBC, representing the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).
Mr. Chimwaza, along with other seven other members of the CBC Board, were elected during the 11th CBC Annual General Meeting held at the Radison Blu Hotel in Zambia.
Mr. Mucai Kunyiha, from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, assumed the role of first Vice President, with Dr. Sherif El Gabaly from the Federation of Egyptian Industries elected second Vice President and Mrs. Munkeni Kiekie Eliane from the Federation Des Entreprises Du Congo elected third Vice President.
Other members elected to the CBC Board include Engineer Melaku Ezezew from the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association, Mr. Issa Sekitto from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, Dr. Tinashe Manzungu from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Namita Jagarnath Hardowar from the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Chimwaza highlighted the abundant human capital within the COMESA region, particularly its youthful population, which is he said crucial in driving development initiatives.
He underscored the CBC’s commitment, alongside private sector stakeholders, to providing developmental solutions within the region, and expressed gratitude for the trust placed in his leadership.
On his part, CBC outgoing board president Mr. Marday Venkatasamy stated that the council has recorded success and growth in the past five years he has served on the board and called on the new CBC leadership to continue supporting the new president.
Mr. Chimwaza previously served as the CBC 2nd Vice President for the 2021–2023 tenure. Earlier, he also served as President for the MCCCI from 2020 and 2022.
