EAC advances strategic cooperation with China at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th September 2024: The East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, H.E. Veronica Nduva, participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China, achieving significant strides in the EAC’s partnership with the People’s Republic of China.
The forum provided a valuable opportunity for the EAC to strengthen its longstanding relationship with China, focusing on strategic areas that promise to drive regional development and economic growth.
The EAC’s engagement at FOCAC built upon the robust framework agreement signed with China in November 2011. This agreement has already fostered productive partnerships across key sectors, including infrastructure development, medical and health services, agriculture, industrialization, and digital innovation.
Infrastructure development remains a priority for the EAC, as it is essential for regional integration and economic growth. To ensure a high level of serviceability, the EAC, in collaboration with its Partner States, has established a platform with development partners to mobilize funds for the development of key corridors and networks. The Northern and Central Corridors, which are among the most vital in the region, form the backbone of the East African economy.
In support of these efforts, the EAC has instituted the Multinational Road Development Programme, which connects the different Partner States to facilitate trade and integration. The construction of these crucial roads is largely undertaken by Chinese contractors, with significant projects funded by the China Exim Bank. Notable examples include the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which are pivotal in enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activity in the region.
Speaking during a meeting on Industrialization and Agricultural Modernization, held on the sidelines of the Forum, Secretary General Nduva emphasized the importance of enhancing the EAC’s cooperation with China to advance industrialization and agricultural modernization.
“By leveraging China’s expertise in these fields, the EAC is set to significantly enhance production capabilities, improve infrastructure, equip the workforce with essential skills, and expand market opportunities while advancing our sustainable development goals,” she stated.
On the sidelines of the forum, Ms. Nduva and various heads of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) interacted with Kenya’s candidate for the position of Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission (AUC), Rt. Hon Raila Amollo Odinga and deliberated on the support for his candidature. This follows a week after Kenya’s President, H.E William Ruto officially launched the former Kenyan Prime Minister’s campaign for the seat, who has since been endorsed by most EAC Heads of State.
The Secretary General also held a meeting with the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, H.E Huang Xia, on supporting EAC’s peace and security initiatives and advancing cooperation with the EAC.
Ms. Nduva also held productive discussions with various Chinese officials and African leaders, focusing on initiatives aligned with the EAC’s regional development goals.
For more information, please contact:
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.