Kenya has emerged as the most regionally integrated country within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), according to a new report.
The African Integration Report 2025 placed Kenya at the top with a score of 0.712 based on infrastructure development, institutional alignment, trade facilitation, and policy harmonization.
The report also ranked Kenya top in the EAC integration with 0.87 points, followed by Rwanda (0.85), Tanzania (0.80), and Uganda (0.78). It also cited strong institutional capacity, infrastructure development, and consistent political commitment to regional objectives.
“In contrast, mid-ranking countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (0.59) and Burundi (0.58) show moderate engagement, reflecting either recent accession or structural constraints. Somalia (0.51) and South Sudan (0.48) remain at the lower end, largely due to ongoing governance, security, and implementation challenges,” the report says.
The study mirrors a report on Kenya’s progress, challenges and opportunities in the EAC presented to the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign relations.
The report listed Kenya as having fully paid its contributions to the EAC, while other member states such as the DRC, Burundi and South Sudan have been struggling.
According to the African Integration Report, Kenya’s leadership in regional integration is underpinned by robust infrastructure networks, strong institutional frameworks, and active participation in COMESA’s trade and policy initiatives. The country’s investments in road corridors, port modernization, and logistics have strengthened its role as a regional gateway and trade hub for East and Central Africa, the report says.
The report also cites Kenya as among the top financial contributor to COMESA alongside Egypt ( 12%), Tunisia (9.3%) and the DRC (8.9%), strengthening the credibility and solidity of organisation’s institutional architecture.
Kenya is also among 15 member states that have been recognized for having implemented measures against money laundering.
On quality infrastructure and consumer protection, the report says Kenya and Egypt are among the few states that apply the certification of industrial and agri- food products to COMESA standards. It is also ranked as a top tourism destination alongside Egypt, Mauritius and Uganda.
Additionally, Kenya was recognized for having formulated national industrialisation plans aligned with regional priorities.
“Kenya continues to play a pivotal role in advancing COMESA’s objectives of a more connected, competitive, and prosperous region,” the report notes. “Its commitment to implementing regional agreements and fostering private sector participation sets an example for others to follow.”
Zambia, which came second in the rankings, was commended for its strategic location within the COMESA region and its active engagement in trade corridors linking Southern and Eastern Africa. The report cited improvements in customs modernization and trade facilitation as key drivers of its performance.
Uganda followed closely behind, credited for cross-border cooperation with neighboring states and steady implementation of COMESA’s legal and policy frameworks. Both Zambia and Uganda were described as “core integration drivers” helping to deepen intra-COMESA trade.
On the other hand, Eritrea (0.251), Libya (0.273), and Somalia (0.287) were ranked as the least integrated members, reflecting political instability, weak institutional participation, and limited implementation of regional commitments.
The report said the disparities highlight the need for targeted support to help struggling countries overcome governance and structural barriers that hinder integration.
“Integration cannot advance at the same pace when member states face vastly different domestic realities,” the report says. “Targeted technical and institutional assistance is vital to ensure no country is left behind.”
Kenya’s strong performance comes amid its growing influence as a trade, transport, and financial hub in Eastern Africa. The country’s infrastructure projects—particularly the Northern Corridor and Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor—are expanding regional connectivity, while its leadership in digital financial innovation has also facilitated cross-border commerce.
The project, albeit delayed, is recognized in the report as one of the key contributors to IGAD’s tangible progress in infrastructure.
The report concludes that while Kenya and a handful of others are making “substantial progress” toward regional integration, a collective push is needed to ensure all member states can benefit from shared markets and growth.
It recommends enhancing infrastructure connectivity, harmonizing trade and investment policies, and strengthening institutional capacity across the region.
“A core group of countries is driving progress, but the benefits of integration can only be fully realized when all members move in step,” it states.
Speaking during the third annual International Relations Society of Kenya Summit in Nairobi, COMESA Assistant Secretary General Amb. Mohamed Kadah emphasised on the need to accelerate regional growth and integration.
“COMESA is a transformative platform to boost trade in this evolving global order -which represents immense opportunities. It is also the cornerstone of Africa’s integration framework,” Amb Kadah said..
