The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) has developed a concept note to seek funding from the Canadian Agency for International Agency (CIDA) for single window initiatives within the member states. A meeting convened at the COMESA headquarters in Zambia on 12th August 2011 discussed the recommendations to the final proposal that will be presented to CIDA. The World Bank for  has also expressed interest in funding the initiatives. 

COMESA has identified seven member states that they would like to initiate the implementation of the single window. They include Tanzania, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia. These are countries which have shown potential in the uptake of the project. Funding is anticipated by September 2011 and will run in tranches with additional funding on need basis.

Participants noted that for the single window concept to succeed in Africa, there is need for commitment from all stakeholders. Both government and private sector have to endorse the process to ensure its uptake,  while laws and regulations within COMESA member states must be harmonized. The member states have to now lobby their respective governments to legislate the process and business organizations should ensure uptake by the private sector.