Former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha Joins United World Leaders
New York — He oversaw administration and finance at the AU Commission and helped shape Agenda 2063; as Secretary General of COMESA he led it to become Africa’s first regional body with a Free Trade Area.
About Erastus Mwencha
Erastus Mwencha is Chair of the Executive Board of the African Capacity Building Foundation. He previously served as Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, where he oversaw administration and finance, supervised the development of two Commission Strategic Plans and took part in developing Agenda 2063, Africa’s long-term vision.
From 1998 to 2008 he was Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), leading the organisation to become, in 2000, the first regional body on the continent to achieve a Free Trade Area. During his tenure he represented the region in negotiating the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization, and promoted the African Growth and Opportunity Act for the benefit of the region’s stakeholders.
He joined United World Leaders as a Member in December 2025.
About United World Leaders
United World Leaders is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit institution of former Presidents and Prime Ministers, ministers, ambassadors and leaders of enterprise and civil society, working to advance peace, international cooperation and socioeconomic prosperity. Members may lead Councils on the issues where they can contribute most, as Chairs or Co-Chairs.