The East African Community (EAC) marks its 25th anniversary today, reflecting on a quarter-century of significant strides in regional integration and economic cooperation. However, as leaders celebrate this milestone, experts warn that deep-rooted disparities and unfulfilled aspirations continue to challenge the bloc’s unity and its broader objectives of shared prosperity.
Since its establishment in 1999, the EAC has achieved notable progress in fostering closer economic ties between its eight member states: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. A key success has been the removal of visa restrictions for citizens within the region, facilitating freer movement and expanded business opportunities. Intra-regional trade has grown significantly, reaching $10.17 billion by September 2022, a testament to the increasing economic interconnectedness of the region.
However, despite these achievements, experts caution that the benefits of regional integration have not been equally shared. Tanzanian businessman Hassan Omar acknowledges the progress made but highlights the ongoing disparities in areas such as education, economic opportunity, and access to basic services. “Our levels of access to education are different, and so are our economic priorities. There are disparities that need addressing for the community’s goals to be fully realized,” Omar notes.
While policies such as the free movement of people have boosted trade and economic activity, critics argue that the rewards of integration remain largely concentrated among the political and business elites. Ordinary citizens continue to face significant barriers to realizing the full benefits of a unified East Africa. “The concept of the EAC has not yet resonated at the grassroots level,” says Professor Kenneth Simala, a regional integration expert at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya. “Inequality, which regional integration aims to address, is still prevalent.”
Simala also points to the top-down nature of the EAC’s integration process as a key barrier. “The integration process has been largely driven by the political class, rather than from the ground up. The people of East Africa should be at the forefront of this process,” Simala argues. He believes that fostering a sense of ownership among the population is critical to achieving the full potential of regional integration.
As the celebrations culminate in a summit of the heads of state, EAC leadership continues to prioritize trade, sustainable development, and regional peace. However, experts emphasize that the EAC’s future direction must broaden its focus to include social and cultural integration. “Regional integration is not just about trade and markets; it must also focus on people—on education, culture, and fostering unity,” says Simala.
Looking to the future, there is a consensus that the EAC must make inclusivity a central tenet of its regional integration efforts. While significant progress has been made in economic cooperation, true regional integration will only be realized when the benefits are equitably distributed and felt by all citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities. Ensuring that integration goes beyond economic policy to encompass social, cultural, and educational dimensions will be crucial for the bloc’s continued success.
As the EAC enters its next chapter, it faces the critical task of turning its economic gains into tangible improvements for all East Africans. A more inclusive approach, prioritizing the well-being of citizens alongside business and trade, will be essential for the future success of the community and the realization of its vision for a unified and prosperous region.