The East Africa Business Council (EABC) is experiencing a leadership shift, with Adrian Raphael Njau from Tanzania stepping in as the new Acting Executive Director, succeeding John Bosco Kalisa.
Kalisa, from Rwanda, took over the EABC in June 2021, following Peter Mathuki’s move to the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat. His tenure began amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the difficulties faced during his term, Kalisa expressed pride in leaving the organization with an enhanced reputation that extends beyond the region. The EABC, as the key representative for the private sector in East Africa, focuses on creating a favorable business environment through policy advocacy.
Kalisa noted his achievement in advocating for a 35% top rate in the EAC Common External Tariff, which he believes safeguarded regional industrial capacities and advanced the industrial agenda in the region.
Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and national protectionist policies have long restricted the growth of intra-EAC trade. Kalisa, however, highlighted that during his leadership, many NTBs were removed, leading to a deepening of intra-regional trade.
He explained, “During my term, we succeeded in removing 200 NTBs, which boosted intra-EAC trade from 13% when I began to about 23% now, factoring in informal trade in the region.”
Kalisa is also acknowledged for increasing EABC membership from 90 to 200 members in just two and a half years and for raising revenue from membership contributions from 15% to 32%.
Unfinished tasks
While Kalisa has achieved many milestones, he noted that there are still tasks left unfinished at the EABC, which he hopes his successor will address.
He had aspired to see the EABC attain financial independence, aiming for 80% of its revenue to come from membership contributions rather than the current 70% reliance on donor funding.
Kalisa had planned to achieve this by developing two plots of land given to EABC by the Rwandan and Tanzanian governments, which he believed would provide a reliable income source.
The new EABC roadmap, released on July 4, 2024, shortly before Kalisa’s departure, calls for intervention from member states to tackle major trade barriers in the region. Despite the common market protocol being signed over ten years ago, challenges in the free movement of goods and people persist.
Kalisa mentioned that the roadmap outlines these challenges and sets new deadlines for addressing them. He highlighted ongoing efforts for free movement, open skies, and other initiatives to enhance regional trade.
Kalisa expressed confidence that his successor, who has been with EABC for 15 years and has collaborated closely with him, will build on his work and lead the organization to greater success.