By Kooko Lawrence
East African Community Secretary-General Veronica Nduva has called for regional integration efforts to focus more on the needs of ordinary citizens ahead of the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha.
Speaking to journalists at the Arusha International Conference Centre, Nduva said the success of the regional bloc depends on how well its policies improve the lives of East Africans.
“Unless the citizen sees themselves in it, we are not fulfilling the purpose of establishing this community,” she said.
The summit, held under the theme “Deepening Integration for Improved Livelihoods of EAC Citizens,” brings together leaders from the bloc’s eight member states to review progress and discuss the next steps in regional integration.
Some leaders are represented by senior officials. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo sent senior ministers or prime ministers, while South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir is represented by the foreign minister. Among those attending in person are Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
One of the key items on the agenda is the election of a new EAC Chairperson, who will take over from President Ruto under the bloc’s rotational leadership arrangement. The summit is also expected to appoint the next EAC Secretary-General to replace Nduva when her term ends this month.
Leaders will also swear in three judges to the East African Court of Justice and appoint commissioners to the EAC Competition Authority.
The summit will launch the EAC Seventh Development Strategy (2026–2031), a five-year plan aligned with the bloc’s Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The strategy outlines priorities for economic growth, sustainable development, and closer cooperation among member states.
Another proposal under discussion is the EAC Customs Bond, a single regional customs guarantee intended to replace multiple national bonds required when goods move across borders. Officials say the system could reduce costs for traders and ease movement of goods within the region.
Nduva also pointed to progress made during her tenure, including an increase in intra-EAC trade from USD 28 billion to USD 39 billion between 2024 and 2025, efforts to reduce non-tariff barriers, improved cross-border trade processes, and mutual recognition of university qualifications among member states.
Leaders will also review reports on regional programmes, infrastructure projects, and trade reforms. Budgetary issues, including proposals to revise the formula used for partner-state contributions to the EAC budget, are also expected to be discussed.
