The last time the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in the East African Community was in 2007 in Kampala, Uganda. That was the year Rwanda joined the Community, affirming its decision along with Burundi to align with their Anglophone neighbours. But it was at that Kampala meeting Rwanda was granted observer status in its bid to join the commonwealth, before becoming a fully-fledged member in 2009. Upon membership, it became only the second country to join that was neither colonised nor a protectorate or mandate of the “British Empire”. The other is Mozambique, which became a member in 1995. Other countries – Algeria, Madagascar, Sudan and Yemen – have previously expressed their desire to become members. Zimbabwe still hopes to rejoin after withdrawing in 2003. To look at the statistics is to appreciate the appeal the Commonwealth holds, both for its members and those harbouring the wish to join. With a combined total population of 2.61 billion, constituting 33% of the global population, the market is huge. Intra-Commonwealth trade currently is estimated at more than $680 billion and is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2025. And, with a combined gross domestic product estimated at $14 trillion, it is only surpassed by the United States with a GDP of over $23 trillion. This year’s CHOGM in Kigali, and specifically its business forum, is looking to capitalise on the market’s strengths, especially to aid its members’ recovery from the economic effects of the pandemic and crises such as arising from the war in Ukraine. Lined up therefore is a potpourri of forward-looking discussions ranging from the global dimensions of the recovery, the future of work and resilient food systems to free trade and reducing cross-border barriers, fashion and more. Though it is not mentioned in the programme, one might expect commitments deriving from the 2020 UK-Africa investment summit will feature, not only as a follow-up but because of the place of Africa in the commonwealth. With 19 countries, the continent contributes the largest grouping in the 54-member organisation. And with a population of over 1.3 billion, it makes up half of the entire population in the commonwealth. This means that the stake is big not just for the continent but for the larger group. Africa is also well endowed with natural resources. Some estimates put British companies as already controlling more than $1 trillion worth of the resources, including gold, diamonds, gas and oil. These attributes make Africa a key investment destination and no wonder the continent was among the places the United Kingdom turned to after Brexit with the 2020 summit. Commercial deals at the summit amounting to £6.5 billion ($8.2 billion at the current exchange rate) were signed by British companies to deliver jobs, growth and investment. The companies were also expected to mobilise billions of pounds more in private sector investment for Africa. In addition to other agreements that have since been signed with African countries and regional economic communities, the UK is already providing support for the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The free trade area is also where the Kigali CHOGM juxtaposes with the continent. The business forum will note that commonwealth countries are members of free trade zones, of which AfCFTA as the world’s latest trade zone will receive a lot of mention. When fully implemented, AfCTCA will have a combined GDP of more than $2.6 trillion with a projected increase of 33 per cent in intra-African trade. This will not only provide opportunities for the UK but the other free trade zones. The networking that will entail the business forum will be part of laying the ground to reap from the already established inter-zone linkages within the commonwealth. All told, however, it may not serve not to mention this: Being the largest economy in the commonwealth, which critics rightly emphasise it remains beneficiary of its colonial exploits, the UK’s investment and other support in Africa and elsewhere from its imperial past nonetheless proffers some important (though not redeeming) support. The investment may not make amends for Britain’s past ills, except for the goodwill inherent in the membership of the commonwealth and its ideals. I should think this among the reasons CHOGM has unfailingly been held every two years since 1971. Twitter: @gituram
