Zambia’sChileshe Kapwepwe was Wednesday chosen as the new Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretary General, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

The announcement was made at the 20th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, which begun Wednesday at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

The Zambian takes over from Zimbabwe’s Sindiso Ngwenya.

The SG is the Chief Executive of COMESA and serves for a maximum of two five-year terms.

Ngwenya’s two-year term lapsed on June 30 but had his contract extended to hold office until his successor assumes duty.

Kapwepwe currently chairs the Southern African nation’s Revenue Authority and was once Washington based lender International Monetary Fund – IMF Alternate Director.

She also had a stint at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning where she served at Deputy Minister, among her other previous appointments.

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