As a response to the 2007/8 high food prices, COMESA established the Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), as a Specialised Agency under the COMESA treaty of article 182. In this regard, ACTESA was established on the 9th of June 2009, with a ‘mission to integrate smallholder farmers into domestic, regional and international markets through an improved policy environment, expanded market facilities, services and capacity building. 

In accomplishment of this mission, ACTESA’s strategic goal is to ensure increased integration and improved regional competitiveness of staple foods markets across the Eastern and Southern Africa region leading to broad-based inclusive growth and increased food security.