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President William Ruto is set to travel to Tanzania on March 7 to participate in the 25th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State in Arusha.
The Summit, the EAC’s highest decision-making body, will bring together leaders from the bloc’s eight Partner States to discuss key regional matters and chart the future of East African integration.
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According to a statement from the EAC, leaders will review progress on regional programmes, assess institutional reports, and deliberate on initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth and improving citizens’ livelihoods. Themed “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens,” the meeting will focus on enhancing living standards and accelerating socio-economic development across the region.
Key Agenda Items:
- Launch of the EAC Customs Bond: A single regional customs guarantee will replace multiple national bonds, allowing traders and clearing agents to secure one bond recognized across all Partner States. This is expected to reduce compliance costs, shorten border delays, protect government revenue, and facilitate faster, safer movement of goods.
- Launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31): The strategy outlines plans for regional integration and socio-economic transformation over the next five years, building on lessons from the previous cycle and aligning with EAC Vision 2050, AU Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva emphasized the Summit’s role as a platform for collective leadership and decision-making, noting that the Customs Bond and Development Strategy demonstrate the Community’s focus on practical solutions to enhance competitiveness and economic resilience.
Other items on the agenda include:
- Review of the Council’s report covering November 30, 2024 – December 31, 2025
- Discussion on sustainable financing of the EAC budget based on a 65% equal contribution and 35% assessed contribution formula
- Assessment of integration progress for Partner States admitted between 2016 and 2024
- Appointment of a new EAC Secretary General, judges to the East African Court of Justice, Deputy Secretaries General, and commissioners to the EAC Competition Authority
- Assent to Bills passed by the East African Legislative Assembly
The Summit is expected to strengthen policy alignment among Partner States, accelerate key regional programmes, and promote inclusive growth and deeper economic integration. It will be preceded by an extraordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers.
