As geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and rising protectionism reshape global commerce, East African countries are moving to strengthen regional trade as a buffer against external shocks. In a fresh push to deepen economic integration, regional ministers have endorsed a series of reforms aimed at reducing trade costs, speeding up cargo clearance, and supporting industrialization.
The measures were adopted during the 48th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI), which concluded in Arusha, Tanzania, on June 7. While the decisions cover areas ranging from customs administration to industrial policy, they share a common objective of making it easier and cheaper for businesses to trade within the region.
The reforms come at a time when African economies are facing increasing uncertainty from global events, including supply chain disruptions, geopolitical rivalries, and a resurgence of protectionist policies in some major markets.
EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi said the region must respond by strengthening its internal market and accelerating the implementation of integration commitments.
“The region is facing increasing trade uncertainties arising from global geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and growing protectionism. to cushion partner states from these challenges, we must lower business costs, implement regional agreements faster, and remove all outstanding non-tariff barriers,” he said.
Among the key decisions adopted was the endorsement of Time Release Studies for the Northern and Central Corridors, two of East Africa’s most important trade routes.
The studies assessed the time required to clear cargo and identified opportunities to simplify customs procedures. According to the findings, closer cooperation among customs authorities, border agencies, and private-sector actors has already improved efficiency along regional supply chains. However, further reforms are needed to reduce delays and costs.
Ministers also approved measures to integrate South Sudan into regional customs data-sharing systems and adopted a framework to monitor implementation of the EAC Customs Union Protocol.
The council further renewed its commitment to addressing non-tariff barriers, which remain a major obstacle to intra-regional trade despite decades of integration efforts.
The ministers considered proposals to strengthen the legal framework governing the removal of such barriers, including introducing sanctions and compensation mechanisms for traders affected by illegal taxes or unauthorized trade restrictions.
The proposals will undergo further technical and legal review before being considered through the bloc’s decision-making structures.
Another major outcome of the meeting was the approval of a comprehensive review of the EAC Rules of Origin, which determine whether products qualify for preferential tariff treatment within the bloc.
The revised rules are expected to support regional manufacturing and value addition by providing a more modern framework for goods traded within the nine-member community.
Analysts have long argued that stronger manufacturing capacity and increased value addition are critical if African economies are to reduce dependence on imports and create more jobs.
The meeting also highlighted growing international interest in the East African market.
Ministers endorsed continued engagement with Singapore, which has formally proposed negotiations towards a free trade agreement with the bloc. The EAC Secretariat was directed to begin technical preparations while ensuring any future agreement aligns with the interests of partner states and existing regional trade arrangements.
The development reflects the EAC’s growing importance as a market of more than 300 million people and underscores the bloc’s ambition to position itself as a competitive player in global trade.
Finance ministers also endorsed fiscal measures agreed under the Common External Tariff framework during consultations on the 2026/27 budget cycle. The measures are expected to take effect on July 1.
Ultimately, however, the success of the reforms will depend less on the decisions adopted in Arusha and more on their implementation.
For businesses across East Africa, faster borders, fewer trade barriers, and more predictable regulations could translate into lower costs and greater opportunities. For the region, they represent another step towards building a more integrated and resilient economy capable of withstanding an increasingly uncertain global trading environment.
