East African Community
Open borders in East Africa: great strides, but still a long way to go
Compared to the rest of Africa, East Africa has made greater strides towards facilitating the free movement of people across borders in search of work
Uganda and Kenya mark milestone in strengthening urban resilience to emerging disaster and climate risks within Busia municipalities
Issued by: APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda and Kenya have taken a significant step towards building a resilient, cross-border future by successfully concluding the inaugural Uganda-Kenya Joint Meeting on Urban Resilience. Held in Busia, Uganda, from 3–5 June 2025, the meeting brought together high-level delegations
DRC elections: three factors that have shaped Tshisekedi’s rocky first term
While Tshisekedi can claim some successes, including the DRC's accession to the EAC and modest economic growth, much remains to be done to improve the lives of Congo's people
DRC is set to join the East African Community: what’s in it for everyone?
In February, East African Community ministers recommended the Democratic Republic of Congo's admission. The decision is set to be formalised by the bloc's presidents on 29 March
The Rwanda border is open but distrust could close it again
Rwanda has now fully reopened the Gatuna border with Uganda, ending a three-year impasse. But the issue is not yet a settled matter
Why maize is causing trade tensions between Kenya and its neighbours
There was confusion in the East African grain market this week after Kenya banned maize imports from Tanzania and Uganda, saying that levels of mycotoxins in maize from the two countries were above safety limits
Week in review: Trade disputes, social media tax, African internet registry
Trade disputes between Uganda and her neighbours are putting even more pressure on treaties signed under the East African Community. URA wants social media tax imposed on data purchases. Stella Nyanzi won an international free speech award
Museveni wants URA to open a customs office at Mombasa to ease cargo clearing
At a regional summit in Nairobi, President Museveni directed the Ugandan Revenue Authority to open a customs station at Mombasa port to ensure that there is no backlog of cargo destined to Uganda
Government to continue with tax case against BAT Uganda
The government will continue pursuing a tax case against British American Tobacco Uganda, William Byaruhanga, the attorney general told Parliament on TuesdayMore East African Community
Museveni mediation fails to bridge Economic Partnership Agreement differences
Negotiations for the agreement were finalised in October 2014, with Kenya and Rwanda acceding to it in 2015. Other EAC member states are yet to sign the agreement, with Tanzania the most vocal dissenter
Nine interesting things that came out of the first EAC Industrial Competitiveness Report
The recently released 2017 East African Community Industrial Competitiveness Report reflects on the region's focus on increasing manufactured goods, the current performance of manufacturing in the region, and the competitiveness of each country's manufacturing sector compared to its peers and globally
Uganda signs Shs500b AfDB loan for Busega-Mpigi expressway
The finance ministry has signed two loan agreements with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the construction of the 23.7 kilometre Busega-Mpigi Expressway project and rehabilitation of its auxiliary road to Rwanda.
U.S. Government and EAC sign $194 million partnership agreement to strengthen regional development
On behalf of the U.S. Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will contribute approximately $194 million over a five year period to shared development goals, deepening the partnership between the two organizations.
Economic integration prerequisite for E. African Monetary Union to work – BoU’s Louis Kasekende
Monetary unions potentially offer important benefits to economies which are closely integrated, but the problems experienced by some of the monetary unions already in existence around the world indicate that they also entail serious risks.
Africa stands to benefit from new trade deals and, possibly, from Brexit
When Brexit finally takes effect, Britain will have no valid agreements with either African trade blocs or individual countries. New agreements with Britain will need to be negotiated. For African countries, negotiating as regional blocs will bring advantages.
