Leaders from Africa's main trading bloc, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) met in May to discuss ways of enhancing its free trade zone, including steps to a customs union. Nine heads of state and government attended the summit. Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki, who took over the reins of the bloc from outgoing chairperson President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, lauded advances made towards a customs union, set to be launched at the end of next year.

 Trade ministers have already agreed on a common external tariff deal. The deal recommends that countries allow free movement of capital goods, introduce a tax of 10% for intermediate products and 25% for finished goods. The 19-member Comesa, representing around 400-million people, plans to launch a customs union in December 2008, but experts say the deal may be delayed by some member states who fear their weaker economies could collapse.