According to EAC Secretariat, 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, 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 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, 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.
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 $6.2 billion in 2017 to $13.8 billion in 2023. The EAC's merchandise trade with the rest of the world also rose from $65.3 billion in 2017 to $109.4 billion in 2023," she added.
Trade between the EAC and Africa grew from $19.4 billion in 2017 to $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.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/eac-stakeholders-deliberate-on-fast-tracking-integration
