COMESA Hosts Validation Meeting on AI and Emerging Technologies in Eswatini
What happened
COMESA held a Regional Validation Meeting in Mbabane, Eswatini, from September 16 to 18, 2026. The meeting gathered Member States, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, and experts to validate the Draft Study Report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies. This initiative is part of the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme and was funded by the World Bank. The findings are intended to guide a Regional AI Strategy, Model Policy Guidelines, and a Model Regulatory Framework for COMESA.
From comesa.int
Why it matters
The meeting focused on how AI can accelerate development and improve public services across COMESA Member States. COMESA noted that realizing this potential requires investment in skills, infrastructure, and data, alongside establishing safeguards for privacy, security, fairness, and accountability. The outcomes will influence future regional policy instruments.
From comesa.int
Who's involved
- Southern African Development CommunityConvened the meeting and is developing the regional AI strategy.
- EswatiniHosted the three-day validation meeting in Mbabane.
- World BankProvided funding for the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) Programme.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Southern African Development CommunitySpeculative
The future policy guidelines and regulatory frameworks developed could influence regional trade standards and market operations.
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The entities involved
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Eswatini
sovereign state in southern Africa
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World Bank
international financial institution