Supporting economic integration in the East African Community

Context

The East African Community (EAC) is the most integrated regional economic organisation in Africa, according to the Africa Regional Integration Index. Trade integration is more advanced than in other regional economic communities in Africa, as demonstrated by the introduction of common external tariffs.

Nonetheless, institutional and legal barriers are still an obstacle to implementing the Customs Union and Common Market. Agreements on the liberalisation of regional trade in services and labour mobility have been reached, but have yet to be fully implemented. The private sector and civil society are often not sufficiently well-informed about the state of integration. In addition, they lack the regional networks needed to take an active role in the integration process.

Objective

The institutional and legal framework conditions for regional and continental trade in the EAC have improved.

Approach

The project provides advisory services in the following areas:

• It promotes regional and continental trade through, for example, regional gains from the fruit, vegetable and pharmaceutical sectors, and better access to regional, continental and international markets.
• It supports the EAC in implementing regional and continental agreements on trade in services.
• It supports the organisational development of the EAC Secretariat, enabling it to better manage integration and implement the EAC development strategy.

Last update: February 2025