Hundreds of delegates from civil society, government, and the private sector have converged in Nairobi for the 7th Annual East African Community (EAC) Secretary General’s Forum, a three-day event focused on deepening regional integration, social development, and security cooperation across East Africa.
The high-level forum attracted notable leaders including Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, and Hon. Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Cooperation.
They were joined by key private sector representatives such as Kenya’s Principal Secretary for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, and Mr. Adrian Njau from the East African Business Council.
Kenya’s Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, delivered the keynote address on behalf of President William Ruto, who now chairs the Summit of EAC Heads of State.
Koskei highlighted Kenya’s commitment to economic and social integration, noting the impact of joint initiatives such as the upcoming AFCON 2027, joint infrastructure projects, and harmonized immigration policies.
Koskei praised the EAC’s progress on key projects, including the EAC e-Passport and the Single Tourist Visa, which have significantly eased mobility across member states. “Accountability and transparency are critical,” he noted, urging for more citizen involvement and enhanced use of digital platforms to ensure inclusivity in regional integration.
EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica Nduva emphasized the achievements of the regional bloc over the last 25 years. She cited reduced trade barriers, improved border efficiency through One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), and the dramatic reduction of cargo transit time from Mombasa to Kigali—from 21 days in 2007 to just 3 days in 2023.
Nduva also noted a surge in intra-EAC trade, which grew from USD 6.2 billion in 2017 to USD 13.8 billion in 2023. The EAC’s global trade rose to USD 109.4 billion in the same period, with AfCFTA participation driving growth in intra-African trade.
Stakeholders are expected to present a set of actionable recommendations to the EAC Council of Ministers, guiding the community toward deeper economic and political integration amid its expansion.