EAC Stakeholders Meet to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

Hundreds of East African citizens from civil society, public and private sectors gathered in Nairobi for the 7th Annual East African Community (EAC) Secretary General's Forum. The three-day event provides a platform for stakeholders to exchange experiences and propose solutions aimed at deepening regional integration.

Key areas of discussion include enhancing economic and social development, regional peace and security, progress on drafting the EAC political confederation’s constitution, and amendments to the EAC Treaty to accommodate the expanded membership of the Community.

Participants comprised representatives from EAC Partner States’ governments, private sector organisations, civil society groups, academia, professional bodies, EAC Organs and Institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the forum, Chief Guest Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service in Kenya, reiterated President William Ruto’s commitment to advancing regional integration in his capacity as Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State.

Koskei praised 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 initiatives like joint infrastructure projects, peace and security efforts, and social integration programs,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of accountability to citizens and efficient resource use in regional integration, noting EAC’s clean audit record and calls for increased transparency and citizen participation. Koskei highlighted citizen-focused initiatives like the EAC e-Passport, which has facilitated free travel across the region without the need for separate visas or travel documents.

“Visa exemptions for EAC citizens have enhanced mobility, and efforts are underway to harmonise immigration and visa policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia,” he added. He also pointed to the EAC Single Tourist Visa, which allows seamless travel between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, with plans to include additional member states.

“Harmonised work permits and Mutual Recognition Agreements enable professionals like accountants and engineers to practice across member states,” Koskei noted.

EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva highlighted the Community’s progress over 25 years in implementing the Customs Union, Common Market, and Monetary Union protocols. “These frameworks have liberalised intra-regional trade, reduced barriers to business, and improved the movement of goods, services, and people,” she stated.

Nduva lauded the success of initiatives like the Electronic Single Window System and the East African Electronic Passport. “Transit times for goods from Mombasa to Kigali have reduced from 21 days to just three days,” she noted. One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) have also streamlined customs procedures, cutting border crossing times by 70% and saving over USD 63 million annually.

The Secretary General added that regional trade has grown significantly, with intra-EAC trade rising from USD 6.2 billion in 2017 to USD 13.8 billion in 2023. Merchandise trade with the rest of the world also increased from USD 65.3 billion in 2017 to USD 109.4 billion in 2023, with trade between the EAC and Africa reaching USD 24.4 billion in 2023, spurred by participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The forum, which included presentations, stakeholder testimonies, and exhibitions, aims to share lessons from 25 years of regional integration. It will submit recommendations to the Secretary General for consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers.