The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has moved to strengthen regional financial ties by expanding its Capital Markets Infrastructure (CMI) to include more stakeholders. The step clears the way for a second phase of implementation aimed at building a more connected regional market.
From January 28 to January 30, 2026, the Secretariat hosted a meeting in Arusha, Tanzania. The session brought together members of the CMI Technical Working Group and senior officials from regional capital markets institutions. Delegates attended from the Burundi Securities Exchange, Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, Nairobi Securities Exchange, National Securities Exchange of Somalia, Rwanda Stock Exchange, Somali Stock Exchange and Uganda Securities Exchange. The Ethiopia Stock Exchange joined as an observer. Regulators, central securities depositories, central bank officials and EAC representatives also took part.
The CMI is a shared digital platform. It links stock exchanges and central securities depositories across Partner States. The system supports the EAC Common Market Protocol by easing the free movement of capital. It also aims to widen investment choices and improve access to funding for companies and governments.
Frank Mwiti, Chief Executive Officer of the Nairobi Securities Exchange and chair of the meeting, said regional markets stand at different levels of growth but share one goal. “Partner States share a strong and collective commitment to achieving meaningful regional integration,” he said. He added that Phase II will focus on better system connections, smoother cross-border trading, stronger liquidity and inclusion of brokerage firms.
Aime Uwase, Director of Planning at the EAC Secretariat, said the inclusion of all eight Partner States shows clear political will. “The growing participation in the Capital Markets Infrastructure… reflects the region’s strong commitment to deeper financial integration,” he said. He urged exchanges to develop products that benefit citizens and align with the region’s growing digital finance space.
Officials agreed to address gaps identified in Phase I. These include governance, regulation alignment, system compatibility and capacity building. Each Partner State will now define its own technical and business needs. This will ensure the next phase responds to national realities while advancing regional goals.
The meeting also stressed the need to align Phase II with wider integration efforts. These include harmonised rules, stronger payment system links and sustainable financing models. Partner States will hold national consultations before the EAC Secretariat consolidates the proposals.
The session ended with a renewed pledge from EAC members and Ethiopia to push forward a fully integrated regional capital market.
