High-Level Side Event Thematic Areas

Posted in EACat25

Registration and Accreditation

Posted in EACat25

A Guide to Registration and Accreditation for the Upcoming Events to Commemorate the EAC 25th Anniversary.

As part of our commitment to ensuring a seamless experience, we have outlined the essential information you need regarding registration and accreditation.

Step 1: Online Registration

All delegates are kindly requested to complete their registration online. The process is simple, quick, and ensures you are officially part of this momentous event.

👉 Register now by visiting https://www.eac.int/side-event-reg

We encourage you to complete your registration as early as possible to help us plan effectively and ensure your participation is secured.

Step 2: Accreditation for Participants

Given the nature of this event, accreditation is required for all participants. This step is crucial for smooth access to the venue and effective event organization.

📌 What You Need to Know About Accreditation:
- The process is straightforward and will involve submitting a few key details to verify your participation.
- Information to be uploaded to complete your online Accreditation:
+ Passport Size Photograph
+ Copy of Passport (Bio-data page) or National ID

👉 Submit your Accreditation by visiting https://www.eac.int/accreditation

Why Early Registration & Accreditation Matters

Registering early not only secures your spot but also ensures you receive timely updates, including event logistics.

We look forward to your participation and thank you for your cooperation in following these steps. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for joining us in making this event a success!

Let’s make it a memorable one.

HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE EAC’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Posted in EACat25

Leveraging Digital Transformation to Fast-Track Integration

1. INTRODUCTION

The East African Community (EAC) is celebrating 25 years of remarkable progress since its revival under the overarching theme, "EAC@25: Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development and Peace & Security for Improved Livelihoods". The theme underscores the EAC’s achievements and its commitment to fostering regional integration, enhancing socio-economic development, and ensuring peace and security in the region. The 25^th Anniversary provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the EAC's achievements, highlight challenges and chart the way forward for the integration process in East Africa.

As the EAC moves into the future, digital transformation is recognised as a critical enabler across all its strategic areas, contributing to the promotion of trade, peace and security, sustainable development. By harnessing emerging technologies and digital connectivity, the EAC can build a resilient, competitive, and secure region, fully aligned with the EAC Vision 2050 and African Union's Agenda 2063.

2. THE HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT

Convened under the sub-theme EAC@25: A Reflective Journey and Future Aspirations, the overall objective of the High-Level Side Event is to showcase the EAC’s 25-year journey in promoting trade, sustainable development, and peace and security, and the role of Digital Transformation as a key enabler of regional integration towards realising EAC Vision 2050.

The High-Level Side Event will focus on three (3) key thematic areas: Promoting Trade, Digital Transformation, and Peace and Security. In trade, the EAC has made strides with initiatives like the Single Customs Territory and One Stop Border Posts, which streamline trade processes, reduce delays, and support market access across borders. These efforts align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to make the region a competitive economic bloc. In digital transformation, the focus is on creating efficient, accessible cross-border payment systems that reduce transaction costs and enhance interoperability, benefiting small and medium enterprises and advancing financial inclusion. For peace and security, digital tools are seen as vital for enhancing real-time data sharing and collaboration, empowering EAC nations to address security threats like terrorism and cybercrime effectively.

Specifically, the High-Level Side Event will: 

1. Facilitate discussions among key stakeholders on achievements and challenges in cross-border movement of goods and services, and actions to enhance their trade within the EAC;
2. Showcase the role of digital transformation in addressing the current limitations of cross-border payment systems and how innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile money, and digital currencies can play a crucial role in enhancing financial inclusion and economic integration in the EAC region; and
3. Reflect on the critical role of peace and security for sustainable economic and social integration in the EAC region.

3. STRUCTURE OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT

The High-Level Side Event is planned for the 29th November, 2024 and will constitute a Ministerial session and a Heads of State session. The Ministerial session will set the context for presentations on achievements in the EAC’s 25-year journey. Following this, participants will engage in break-away discussions on the three (3) thematic areas. The outcomes of the break-away sessions will be presented during the plenary of the Ministerial session. The outcomes from the Ministerial session will be reported to the Heads of State session.

The High-Level Side Event will also incorporate an exhibition on the achievements of the Community over the past 25 years.

4. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

08.00 - 08.30hrs:  Arrival and Registration

TECHNICAL/MINISTERIAL SESSION

08.30 - 09.00hrs: Opening Session

09.00 - 09.45hrs: Opening Remarks

09.45 - 10.15hrs: Keynote Address

10.15 - 10.45hrs: Reflections on the Keynote Address by Private Sector, Civil Society, EALA, EACJ

11.00 – 12.30hrs: Breakout Sessions/Thematic Areas:

Session A: Promoting Trade in the EAC Region
The session will highlight progress in boosting intra-regional trade through the EAC’s Customs Union and Common Market, which have reduced trade barriers and modernized customs. It will also explore strategies to address challenges and align EAC goals with the AfCFTA and other regional trade blocs for greater competitiveness

Session B: Digital Transformation
The session will address how digital transformation can overcome challenges in cross-border payment systems, enhancing financial inclusion and economic integration. It will explore the role of innovative technologies like AI, mobile money, and digital currencies in advancing these goals across the EAC region

Session C: Enhancing Peace and Security in the Region
The session will explore the EAC's crucial role in peace-building and conflict resolution, focusing on enhancing cross-border security collaboration against threats like terrorism and human trafficking. It will also highlight the contributions of youth and women in peace efforts and examine ways to strengthen regional security through digital and technological innovations

12:30 - 12:45hrs
EAC Tech Live
A demonstration of the cross-border Instant Payment Switch between the United Republic of Tanzania National Switch (TIPS) and the Republic of Rwanda National Payment Switch (RSwitch)

12.45 - 13.30hrs: Plenary Session
Reporting back by Thematic/Breakout sessions
Discussion on the way forward for the integration process and takeaways from the Technical Session
Endorsement of Outcomes by Ministers

13.30 - 14.30hrs: Lunch Break

SESSION OF THE HEADS OF STATE

14.30 - 14.40hrs: EAC Anthem  |  Prayer (1 Min short prayers Muslim & Christian)

14.40 - 14.50hrs: Welcoming Remarks by the Secretary General

14.50 - 15.15hrs: Remarks by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and Presentations of Outcomes from Discussions of the High-Level Side Event to the Heads of State

15.15 - 16.30hrs: Interactive Session with Heads of State

16.30 - 16.40hrs: Vote of Thanks

16.40 - 17:00hrs: Heads of State Group Photo

17.00 - 17.05hrs: EAC Anthem

17.05 - 18.00hrs: 25th Anniversary pre-celebration

18.00hrs: Departure at Leisure

5. DATE AND VENUE

The High-Level Side Event is scheduled for 29^th November, 2024.

The High-Level Side Event will be held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.

6. REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION

Delegates are kindly informed that registration for the event can be completed online by visiting https://www.eac.int/side-event-reg

Given the nature of the event, accreditation will be required for all participants. The accreditation process is designed to ensure smooth access and organization, and the accreditation link will be shared in due course. We encourage all delegates to register early and await further details on the accreditation process.

7. KEY CONTACTS

For any inquiries or assistance related to the High-Level Side Event, please refer to our key contacts below:

1. Mr. Florian Mutabazi – +255 753 288428 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Mr. Simon Owaka – +255 768 552087 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8. SOCIAL MEDIA

To amplify the discussions and extend the reach of this High-Level Side Event, we encourage participants and audiences to join the conversation online using our official hashtags. By using #EACat25, #OnePeopleOneDestiny, and #EACBoderless, you can share insights, key takeaways, and moments from the event. These hashtags help to unite voices across platforms, creating a vibrant dialogue on the achievements, aspirations, and future goals of the East African Community as we celebrate 25 years of impactful regional integration.

Progress in the EAC Common Market

Posted in EACat25

The East African Community (EAC) Common Market, launched in 2010, has been instrumental in deepening regional integration, facilitating trade, and driving economic development across the East African region. By promoting the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital, the EAC Common Market aims to create a single regional economic space where the economies of the Partner States can grow in a more integrated, efficient, and inclusive manner.

Social Rights and Development

The Common Market has made significant strides in advancing social rights, particularly by facilitating the free movement of people, which has opened opportunities for cross-border employment, education, and social services. The right to reside and establish businesses across the region has led to greater mobility for the workforce, with millions of citizens benefiting from access to better employment opportunities and a broader regional job market. This mobility has also promoted cultural exchange and social cohesion, helping build a more integrated East African community.

The EAC has also implemented policies that promote social inclusion, including the EAC Social Development Policy Framework, which focuses on improving access to education, healthcare, and other essential social services. The EAC region has also benefited from collaborative health initiatives, such as the EAC Health Strategy, which has fostered cross-border cooperation on disease control, vaccination programmes, and the management of health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The region’s joint approach to public health challenges has been critical in ensuring a coordinated response to epidemics and health emergencies, strengthening the resilience of the social systems.

Capital Mobility and Investment

Capital mobility is another key component of the EAC Common Market, which has created a more conducive environment for investment across the region. The development and harmonisation of financial regulations have made it easier for investors to operate across borders. The EAC also launched the EAC Investment Promotion Strategy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and promote regional investment in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology.

Trade and Productive Sector Development

One of the key achievements of the EAC Common Market has been the elimination of barriers to intra-regional trade, particularly the reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers. This has resulted in an impressive increase in trade among Partner States, with intra-regional trade growing from 10% of the total EAC trade in the early 2000s to over 20% in recent years. The introduction of a Common External Tariff (CET) has further streamlined trade by ensuring uniform customs duties across all EAC Partner States.

In the productive sectors, the Common Market has fostered the establishment of regional value chains, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. For example, the integration of the agricultural sector has enhanced food security, improved agricultural productivity, and facilitated the movement of agricultural products across borders. Various regional programmes have been in an effort to increase productivity and competitiveness in the sector.  The Agriculture sector accounts for 25%-40% of EAC Partner States (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Republic of South Sudan) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is a leading employer for over 80% of the population in the region. In manufacturing, initiatives such as the East African Industry Investment Strategy focus on promoting regional industrialization through joint ventures, technology transfer, and harmonized policies.

Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure development has been a cornerstone of the EAC Common Market, with significant investments in transportation, energy, and ICT designed to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade. Regional infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of the East African Railway Network and the development of key Transport Corridors such as the Northern Corridor and the Central Corridor, have improved the movement of goods and people within the region. The construction and expansion of major ports, such as the Mombasa Port and Dar es Salaam Port as well as the implementation of regional transport standard such as the EAC Vehicle Load Control Regulations have further boosted intra-regional trade.

The EAC has also prioritized energy infrastructure integration, with projects like the EAC Regional Power Pool, which aims to enhance electricity generation, distribution, and cross-border energy interconnectivity. The pooling of resources and expertise in energy generation has helped address the region’s energy deficit, providing a more reliable and affordable power supply for industries and households.

Similarly, the EAC’s efforts in digital infrastructure, including regional broadband networks, have enhanced access to information technology, promoting innovation, e-commerce, and digital trade.

The EAC Common Market has been a driving force behind regional integration, creating a more dynamic and competitive East African economy. The EAC remains committed to realise the full implementation of the Freedoms and Rights as provided for under the Common Market Protocol and the harmonization of sectoral policies across all the Partner States.

Read More on Sectors under the Common Market:

Agriculture and Food Security

 

Enhancing food security and rational agricultural and livestock within the Community through harmonisation of agricultural policies as well as joint programmes for efficient and effective production.

Culture

Embracing Culture and Sports as both enablers and drivers of a people-centered integration agenda through the promotion and enhancement of diverse sports activities and the promotion and preservation of our culture is of paramount importance.

Customs

 

Undertaking joint action towards the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and to control pandemics and epidemics of communicable and vector-borne diseases.

Education, Science and Technology

Recognising the fundamental importance of education, science and technology in economic development through harmonized curricula, examination, certification and accreditation institutions.

Energy

 

Adopting policies and mechanisms to promote the efficient exploitation, development, joint research and utilisation of various energy resources available within the region.

Environment and Natural Resources

Coordinating, harmonising and complementing transport and communications policies; improving and expanding the existing transport and communication links; and establishing new ones.

Gender, Community Development and Civil Society

 

Adopting common approaches towards the disadvantaged and marginalised groups, including women, children, the youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities aimed at employment creation, poverty alleviation and improving working conditions.

Health

Undertaking joint action towards the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and to control pandemics and epidemics of communicable and vector-borne diseases.

Immigration and Labour

 

Accelerating economic growth and development of the Partner States by facilitating the free movement of persons and labour through the adoption of common policies and procedures.

Industrialisation and SME Development

Improving the competitiveness of the industrial sector so as to enhance the expansion of trade in industrial goods within the Community and the export of industrial goods from the Partner States.

Infrastructure

 

Coordinating, harmonising and complementing transport and communications policies; improving and expanding the existing transport and communication links; and establishing new ones as a means of furthering the physical cohesion of the Partner States.

Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development

Providing an enabling environment for the private sector to take full advantage of the Community through the promotion of a continuous dialogue with the private sector to help create an improved business environment and enhancing investor confidence in the region.

Peace and Security

 

Fostering and maintaining a conducive atmosphere that is a pre-requisite to social and economic development through co-operation and consultations on issues pertaining to peace and security of the Partner States.

Tourism and Wildlife Management

Collectively promoting and marketing the Community as a Single Tourist Destination while conserving and ensuring sustainable utilisation of wildlife and other tourist sites.

Trade

 

Rationalising investments and the full use of established industries to promote efficiency in production, as well as harmonising trade policies, investment incentives and product standards, with a view to promote the Community as a single investment area.