EAC Stakeholders convene in Nairobi to deliberate on fast-tracking integration for the benefit of East Africa citizens
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 10th December, 2024: Hundreds of East African citizens from civil society, public and private sector have converged in Nairobi for the 7th Annual East African Community (EAC) Secretary General's Forum to engage in constructive dialogue on strengthening regional integration.
The three-day forum provides a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and propose solutions on enhancing economic integration and social development, regional peace and security, progress on developing the constitution for the EAC political confederation and amending the EAC Treaty to serve the now enlarged EAC.
Participants include representatives from EAC Partner States' governments, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, professional bodies, academia/universities, EAC Organs and Institutions, development partners, and other interest groups.
Speaking during the forum, the Chief Guest, Mr. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service in Kenya, reiterated President William Ruto's commitment, as the new Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads, to steering the region toward increased economic and social integration.
Mr. Koskei commended EAC's achievements in intra-regional trade, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment.
"Let's encourage jointly working together. The joint hosting of AFCON 2027 will foster unity among Partner States, and build on future initiatives such as joint infrastructure projects, peace, security efforts and social integration programs. These milestones remind us of what we can achieve when we work together," he noted.
He emphasized that accountability to citizens and efficient use of resources are crucial for regional integration. While commending EAC's clean audit record and financial management, he called for enhanced transparency and citizen participation through various regional platforms. He highlighted the Community's efficiency improvements through institutional strengthening and citizen-focused initiatives like the East African Passport.
“Since the 2016 launch of the EAC e-Passport, member states' nationals have enjoyed free travel across the region without separate visas or travel documents. Visa exemptions for EAC citizens have enhanced mobility, while efforts continue to harmonize immigration and visa policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia,” he noted.
Mr. Koskei further added that the EAC Single Tourist Visa, introduced in 2014, allows tourists to move freely between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, with plans to include more member states.
“Harmonized work permits and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) enable professionals like accountants and engineers to practice across member states,” he stated.
On her part, the EAC Secretary General, Hon. Veronica Nduva, highlighted the Community's significant progress over 25 years, particularly in implementing the Customs Union, Common Market, and Monetary Union protocols. "These frameworks have allowed for the liberalization of intra-regional trade, reduced barriers to business, and enhanced the movement of goods, services, and people," she noted.
The Secretary General emphasized progress through initiatives like the Electronic Single Window System and East African Electronic Passport. "The reduction of transit times for goods, particularly from Mombasa to Kigali, from 21 days to 3 days today, exemplifies the impact of our integration efforts," she added.
One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) have streamlined customs procedures, reducing border crossing times by 70% and generating annual savings exceeding USD 63 million. Transit times from Mombasa to Kampala have decreased from 18 days in 2007 to 4-5 days currently.
Hon. Nduva noted that the Electronic Single Window (ESW) System has simplified customs and trade documentation, while Regional Trucking Initiatives, including a Centralized Monitoring Centre, have enhanced goods tracking and response to emerging issues. Significant infrastructure upgrades along the Northern Corridor have improved goods flow between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
"These efforts have yielded impressive results in regional trade. Intra-EAC trade grew from USD 6.2 billion in 2017 to USD 13.8 billion in 2023. The EAC's merchandise trade with the rest of the world also rose from USD 65.3 billion in 2017 to USD 109.4 billion in 2023," she added. Trade between the EAC and Africa grew from USD 19.4 billion in 2017 to USD 24.4 billion in 2023, boosted by participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The forum aims to share good practices and lessons from 25 years of regional integration through presentations, recorded stakeholder testimonies (documentaries), and exhibitions. The meeting will submit clear and practical recommendations to the Secretary General for consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers.
Also present at the event were; the 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation, Rwanda, Hon. Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe; Deputy Foreign Minister of Tanzania, Hon. Dennis Londo; Kenyan Principal Secretary of the State Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Hon. Susan Auma Mang'eni; Chief Executive Officer at the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF), Ms. Lillian Alex; Acting Executive Director/CEO of the East African Business Council (EABC), Mr. Adrian Njau; EAC Deputy Secretary General Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth; GIZ Component Lead,Organisation Development and Outreach, Marius West and Heads of EAC Institutions.
VIDEO LINK: https://we.tl/t-nWneUiEG8G
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations OfficerCorporate Communications and Public Affairs DepartmentEAC SecretariatArusha, TanzaniaTel: +255 768 552087Email: 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.