East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 24th April, 2024: The feasibility studies for the 256km multinational Kisumu-Kisian-Busia/Kakira-Malaba-Busitema-Busia expressway is set to start soon after EAC officially handed over the site to the consultancy firm named GOPA Infra Gmbh of Germany together with ITEC Limited of Kenya.
The expressway that will run from Kisumu in Kenya to Kakira, a town Jinja district, will involve rehabilitation of the existing two-lane single-carriageway to bitumen standards and the upgrading of the same into a two-lane dual carriageway over a 104km stretch.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th April, 2024: Government officials, trade representatives and other stakeholders from the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of South Sudan convened at Nimule Border on Tuesday for a high-level joint border sensitisation mission focused on strengthening cross-border trade relations and fostering regional integration.
The mission provided a platform for in-depth discussions on various issues impacting trade between the two Partner States, with a particular emphasis on the implementation of One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and other trade facilitation measures.
A key highlight of the mission was the in-depth review of the performance of the OSBPs, which aim to streamline clearance processes and enhance security measures at border points. Stakeholders underscored the importance of consolidating various government agencies into one central location to expedite clearance times and simplify procedures for cross-border traders.
Presentations from both Partner States’ delegations revealed a significant increase in traffic between the two countries, highlighting the growing importance of efficient trade facilitation measures. Despite progress, challenges such as differing operational hours and tax regimes were identified, emphasising the need for harmonisation and coordination between border authorities to ensure smoother trade operations.
Reactions from stakeholders echoed the call for improved understanding of OSBP procedures, gender-sensitive integration efforts and the need to address environmental challenges affecting trade activities in the area, with particular reference to floods known to frequently affect the Elegu/Nimule area.
Other key recommendations included the need for capacity building for traders to fully appreciate and experience the benefits of the EAC integration and infrastructure development to support cross-border trade.
Speaking during the event, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Anne Itto, said that the Community had put in place various initiatives to facilitate trade and regional integration, and OSBPS take center stage.
“If we do not have the free movement of goods and people, then we do not have integration” she said. “There is therefore urgent need to ensure there are facilities to effectively facilitate trade on both sides on the Elegu/Nimule border,” said Hon. Itto.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, commended all border agencies for their commitment in ensuring services were offered despite challenges in the execution of their respective mandates.
In responding to the matters raised, the Deputy Secretary General said that the EAC Secretariat would work jointly with Uganda and South Sudan in the development of strategies aimed at transforming operations at the Elegu/Nimule border.
“The Secretariat has taken note of all challenges raised and recommendations offered for improved trade facilitation. We shall develop an action plan that incorporates all issues raised, stakeholders charged with ironing out these issues and the implementation timeframe - short, medium and long term,” added Ms. Ssemuwemba.
Ms. Ssemuwemba further said that longer-term interventions such as infrastructure development, IT systems interconnectivity and the provision of facilities for women cross-border traders were essential for sustainable progress and prosperity at the border.
On his part, the Under Secretary in South Sudan’s Ministry of EAC Affairs, Hon. Adv. Beny Gideon Mabor, said that the deliberations of the day were centered around the Customs Union and Common Market, both pivotal components of the EAC integration agenda. “We have identified several challenges impeding the seamless functioning of OSBPs, ranging from issues within the mandate of Partner States to logistical hurdles,” said the Under Secretary.
“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan is committed to addressing these challenges by implementing necessary measures to operationalise OSBPs,” said Hon. Mabor. “I recognise that certain decisions can be expedited without the need for OSBP structures, we pledge to implement these with urgency,” he added.
Representing the South Sudan Minister of Trade and Industry, the Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry in South Sudan, Hon. Simon Nyang, said that the OSBP review meeting was critical to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, adding that the Ministry will strive to implement the recommendations of the meeting.
Speaking at the event, Uganda’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EAC Affairs, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, hailed the diligent efforts of all border agencies in facilitating the movement of goods.
Hon. Kadaga underscored the urgent need for South Sudan to expedite the implementation of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
“This acceleration is imperative in ensuring citizens enjoy the full benefits the of the EAC integration,” said the Minister.
“In areas where legislative frameworks to facilitate the implementation of the Customs Union remain pending, I implore the Republic of South Sudan to actively seek support from the EAC Secretariat to conclude the same,” said Hon. Kadaga.
The Minister reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to ensure enhanced collaboration of the border agencies from the two Partner States.
“Collaborative efforts are indispensable to navigate the complexities of integration, with a collective focus on ensuring tangible benefits for the populace,” she said.
The Elegu/Nimule border mission served as a testament to the shared commitment by both Uganda and South Sudan towards strengthening cross-border trade and advancing regional cooperation. The stakeholder engagements session was preceded by an inspection of the Elegu and Nimule OSBPs.
Simon Peter Owaka Senior Public Relations Officer Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 768 552087 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Federal Republic of Somalia was admitted into the EAC bloc by the Summit of EAC Heads of State on 24th November, 2023 and became a full member on 4th March, 2024.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 8th April, 2024:The East African Community Secretariat is exploring a possibility of having a Commemoration of Genocide Against Tutsi on 7th April of every year as an EAC day for it to be observed by EAC Partner States, Organs, and Institutions as any other EAC days and given commemoration budget in the EAC Annual Budgets.
Speaking during the the commemoration at the EAC Secretariat on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, EAC Deputy Secretary General, Hon Andrea Ariik Aguer Malueth said that a proper request will be very soon tabled to the Council for consideration as EAC set to take a front role as the region to make sure that what happened in Rwanda in 1994 never happens again anywhere in region.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 3rd April, 2024:The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is set to conduct a high-level sensitization mission at selected borders within the region aimed at reviewing the performance of the various One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).
Scheduled to commence on 9th April, 2024, the mission underscores the EAC's commitment to fostering cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and improving cross-border procedures.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 20th March, 2024: The East African Community (EAC) capacity building workshop on mainstreaming the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the EAC Customs Union is currently underway in Kampala, Uganda.
The five-day workshop from 18th -22nd March, 2024 facilitated by the Trade Mark Africa under funding of the USAID- ERRA program is being attended by Senior Officials from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry EAC affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Standards, Immigration and Customs Administrations
Expectations are high for the event showcasing East Africa's potential as a hub for petroleum investment, sustainable energy, and socioeconomic development
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 15th March, 2024: The stage is set for the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 (EAPCE’25), scheduled to take place from 5th – 7th March, 2025 in Tanzania. Organized by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat and the EAC Partner States, the event anticipates attracting over 1,000 participants.
Under the theme "Unlocking Investment in Future Energy: The Role of Petroleum Resources in the Energy Mix for Sustainable Development in East Africa”, the 2025 edition aims to highlight the region’s petroleum potential and investment opportunities.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 9th March, 2024:The 3rd East African Community (EAC) Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference ended in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday with a resolution calling on Partner States and other stakeholders to recognise that genetic diversity has largely been lost, thus the need for genetic materials to be kept safely for future generations through the creation of a regional genetic store.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th March, 2024:The 3rd East African Community Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference opened in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday with an appeal to all stakeholders to work together to enable the Community to tap into and benefit from STI opportunities and accelerate their diffusion.
Making the appeal, Ms. Hendrina C. Doroba, the Division Manager in charge of Education and Skills Development at the African Development Bank (AfDB) East Africa Regional Office said that accelerating development and diffusion of STI in East Africa will not only lead to the growth of innovative solutions to regional challenges but also drive commercialisation of such innovations for industrial development.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th March, 2024:The 37th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Cooperation in Defence Affairs is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th March, 2024:The Federal Republic of Somalia has finally joined the East African Community as the bloc’s 8th Partner State after officially depositing her instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Accession with the EAC Secretary General at a ceremony held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, presented the Horn of Africa nation’s instrument of ratification to the EAC Secretary General, Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mathuki, completing the admission process in line with EAC Procedure for Admission of new members.
