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President William Ruto has arrived in Arusha to take part in the 25th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.
The summit will convene leaders from across the region to explore ways of strengthening regional integration, boosting economic collaboration, and enhancing ties among citizens of East Africa.
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During the meeting, the leaders are also expected to assess progress made on major regional initiatives designed to expand trade, improve infrastructure connectivity, and support economic growth within the bloc.
Held under the theme “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens,” the summit underscores the commitment of partner states to advancing regional cooperation and sustainable development.
As the highest decision-making body of the EAC, the summit will bring together heads of state from the eight partner countries to deliberate on key issues shaping the future of the regional bloc. These include reviewing the progress of regional programmes, institutional reports, and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening integration and improving the welfare of East African citizens.
One of the major highlights of the meeting will be the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, a unified regional customs guarantee intended to replace the current system where traders are required to secure multiple national bonds along transit routes.
Under the new arrangement, traders and clearing agents will obtain a single bond that will be recognised across all EAC partner states instead of arranging separate guarantees in each country of transit.
The bond is expected to link customs authorities, insurers, and financial institutions under one regional framework, reducing compliance costs, minimising border delays, protecting government revenue, and facilitating quicker and safer movement of goods across the region.
The summit will also witness the launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31), which will guide efforts to accelerate regional integration and socio-economic transformation over the next five years. The strategy builds on the achievements and lessons from the previous development plan and aligns with broader frameworks such as EAC Vision 2050, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ahead of the summit, EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva highlighted the significance of the gathering as a platform for collective leadership and regional decision-making.
She noted that the summit offers leaders an opportunity to make strategic decisions that promote cooperation, strengthen trade, and drive shared prosperity across East Africa.
Nduva added that the introduction of the EAC Customs Bond and the new development strategy reflects the Community’s commitment to implementing practical measures that enhance regional competitiveness and economic resilience.
The summit agenda will also include consideration of a report by the Council covering the period from November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025. Leaders will discuss the implementation framework for sustainable financing of the EAC budget, based on a funding formula of 65 percent equal contribution and 35 percent assessed contribution.
Additionally, the meeting will review the integration progress of partner states admitted to the Community between 2016 and 2024.
Heads of state are also expected to appoint a new EAC Secretary General, select judges for the East African Court of Justice, renew the terms of Deputy Secretaries General, appoint commissioners to the EAC Competition Authority, and assent to legislation passed by the East African Legislative Assembly.
The outcomes of the summit are expected to strengthen policy coordination among partner states and accelerate implementation of key programmes aimed at promoting inclusive growth and deeper economic integration across the region.
The summit follows an extraordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers, which took place from March 2 to March 5, 2026 at the EAC headquarters in Arusha.
