The COMESA Court of Justice has launched an intensive capacity-building programme in Kenya for its 12 judges-elect, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria.

The programme which takes place from 13 to 24 April 2026, equips the judges with the skills and knowledge required to deliver clear, consistent, and well-reasoned judicial decisions in line with the Court’s core mandate—ensuring the observance of law in the interpretation and application of the COMESA Treaty.

Opening the programme on Monday, 13 April 2026, the Judge President-elect of the Court, Justice Sitwala Mwanamwambwa, emphasised the importance of both legal knowledge and methodological discipline in judicial work.

That mandate requires not only knowledge of the law, but order in how it is applied, he noted.

The programme begins by grounding participants in the foundations of the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the continental framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the legal system of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

This progression is deliberate, Justice Mwanamwambwa explained. It situates our work within a layered legal order—global, continental, and regional—and underscores the need for coherence in how we interpret and apply the law across these levels.

He further observed that the timing of the programme is significant, as regional integration in Africa has moved beyond theory into practice, increasingly giving rise to complex legal questions and disputes that demand judicial clarity and consistency.

Beyond its dispute resolution function, the Court plays a central role in the COMESA integration architecture. Its decisions continue to shape the legal and economic environment within which the 21 COMESA Member States, as well as businesses and citizens, operate.

“The consistency and predictability of our jurisprudence are therefore critical,” Justice Mwanamwambwa stressed.

The programme also covers key thematic areas such as trade remedies, competition law, and regional trade frameworks, reflecting the evolving nature of disputes within the region. In addition, the inclusion of human rights and consumer protection highlights the broader context within which economic law now operates.

Among the key speakers at the opening session were Dr Tinyiko Ngobeni of the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, Mr Don Mackay, and Dr. Clive Vinti of the African Global Trade Institute.

The CCJ is composed of two divisions—the First Instance Division and the Appellate Division—with seven and five judges respectively. This marks the Court’s fourth bench since its establishment. Shortly after completing the programme, the judges will be sworn in by the COMESA Authority of Heads of State and Government and will serve a renewable five-year term.

The judges were nominated from across the COMESA Member States – Burundi, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

As regional integration deepens across Africa, the role of the COMESA Court of Justice becomes increasingly pivotal. By investing in the capacity of its judges, the Court is reinforcing its commitment to delivering coherent, predictable, and high-quality jurisprudence.