The East African Community (EAC) has presented its budget estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year, totaling USD 109.3 million, to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Delivering the budget speech, Beatrice Askul Moe, Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, and Regional Development, highlighted the region’s economic resilience amid global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and declining international aid.
Despite these hurdles, the EAC recorded a robust average growth rate of 5.5% in 2024—surpassing both the global average of 3.3% and Sub-Saharan Africa’s 4%. The outlook for 2025 is even more promising, with projected growth of 5.8%, driven by agriculture, construction, and services, underpinned by sound policies and macroeconomic stability.
Trade performance also improved significantly, with overall trade rising by 14.7% to USD 124.9 billion, exports increasing by 24.72% to USD 56 billion, and intra-EAC trade expanding by 9.35% to USD 15.2 billion.
Themed “Inclusive Economic Transformation through Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Resilient Strategic Investment for Job Creation and Improved Livelihoods,” the budget prioritizes six areas: regional peace and security, advancement of the Customs Union, implementation of the Common Market Protocol, harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies, development of climate-resilient infrastructure and digitalisation, and strengthening institutional capacity across EAC organs.
Budget allocations include USD 55.2 million for the EAC Secretariat, USD 20.5 million for EALA, and USD 5 million for the East African Court of Justice, among others. Customs systems will be enhanced to facilitate seamless trade, including digital exchange of Certificates of Origin.
In 2025/2026, efforts will focus on consolidating the Customs Union, harmonising legal frameworks, and reducing trade costs. Notably, 16 of 47 Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) were resolved in 2024/2025, and 12 enterprises received the EAC Quality Award.
Progress on the Common Market includes the waiver of work/residence permit fees by Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda for EAC citizens. On monetary integration, the EAC adopted a framework for coordinating monetary and fiscal policies and launched the Cross-Border Payment System Master Plan. The EAC Payment and Settlement System Integration Project continues to support secure and efficient regional transactions.
Peace and security remain central, with initiatives like the Peace Caravan promoting cross-border cooperation among communities in Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan. Legislative achievements include the introduction of three Private Members’ Bills addressing transboundary diseases, medical products, and female genital mutilation.
During its sitting in Uganda, EALA welcomed President Yoweri Museveni, who advocated for deeper political integration. In 2025/2026, EALA will prioritize legislation supporting the East African Monetary Union.
The East African Court of Justice saw 79 new cases in 2024/2025, with its backlog rising to 328 cases. The Court’s priorities include reducing this backlog, enhancing judicial capacity, and strengthening collaboration with regional and international courts.
