EAC Trade Surges As Region Eyes Greater Integration Ahead Of 2026 Tripartite Summit
By William Muchiri The East African Community (EAC) has recorded remarkable trade growth in the first half of 2025, with total trade increasing by 28.4%, rising from USD 29.7 billion in Q2 2024 to USD 38.2 billion in Q2 2025, according to the latest EAC Statistics Bulletin. The growth was largely driven by exports, which jumped 40.5% to USD 18.6 billion, up from USD 13.2 billion the previous year, while imports rose by 18.8%, from USD 16.5 billion to USD 19.6 billion. Intra-EAC trade also showed positive momentum, growing 24.5% from USD 3.7 billion to USD 4.6 billion during the same period. However, its share of total trade remains modest at 12.1%, underscoring the need for deliberate measures to unlock the region’s full trade potential. Dr. Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for EAC and Chairperson of the Coordination Committee, emphasized that tackling non-tariff barriers (NTBs), discriminatory levies, and other bottlenecks is critical for raising intra-EAC trade, potentially above 50%. Speaking during the 47th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (SCTIFI) in Nairobi, Dr. Karugu highlighted the strategic importance of advancing the Customs Union, enhancing trade in goods and services, operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), progressing Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) negotiations, and strengthening industrial and investment frameworks. She confirmed that Kenya will host the 4th Tripartite Summit in February 2026, which will provide market access to over 700 million people with a combined GDP exceeding USD 1.4 trillion. The summit and Tripartite framework are expected to generate significant economic benefits, fostering market integration, infrastructure development, and industrial capacity building. Deputy Secretary General for Customs and Trade Matters, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, noted that persistent NTBs continue to challenge regional trade despite ongoing efforts to enhance trade facilitation. She highlighted improvements such as digitalized simplified trade regimes, e-certificates of origin exchange, increased collaboration between revenue authorities, and engagement with the private sector, all contributing to reduced border delays and enhanced trade efficiency. Ms. Mutaawe also announced the launch of the EAC Customs Bond on 6th December 2025, aimed at easing cash-flow burdens for traders, streamlining transit operations, and facilitating smoother cross-border trade. The pilot phase has already been successfully completed, with sensitization campaigns set to intensify during rollout. As the region strengthens trade facilitation, addresses NTBs, and aligns with continental frameworks, the EAC is positioning itself for greater competitiveness, regional integration, and shared prosperity, leveraging both intra-regional and continental opportunities. Dr Caroline Karugu
By William Muchiri
The East African Community (EAC) has recorded remarkable trade growth in the first half of 2025, with total trade increasing by 28.4%, rising from USD 29.7 billion in Q2 2024 to USD 38.2 billion in Q2 2025, according to the latest EAC Statistics Bulletin.
The growth was largely driven by exports, which jumped 40.5% to USD 18.6 billion, up from USD 13.2 billion the previous year, while imports rose by 18.8%, from USD 16.5 billion to USD 19.6 billion.
Intra-EAC trade also showed positive momentum, growing 24.5% from USD 3.7 billion to USD 4.6 billion during the same period. However, its share of total trade remains modest at 12.1%, underscoring the need for deliberate measures to unlock the region’s full trade potential.
Dr. Caroline Karugu, Principal Secretary for EAC and Chairperson of the Coordination Committee, emphasized that tackling non-tariff barriers (NTBs), discriminatory levies, and other bottlenecks is critical for raising intra-EAC trade, potentially above 50%.
Speaking during the 47th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (SCTIFI) in Nairobi, Dr. Karugu highlighted the strategic importance of advancing the Customs Union, enhancing trade in goods and services, operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), progressing Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) negotiations, and strengthening industrial and investment frameworks. She confirmed that Kenya will host the 4th Tripartite Summit in February 2026, which will provide market access to over 700 million people with a combined GDP exceeding USD 1.4 trillion.
The summit and Tripartite framework are expected to generate significant economic benefits, fostering market integration, infrastructure development, and industrial capacity building. Deputy Secretary General for Customs and Trade Matters, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, noted that persistent NTBs continue to challenge regional trade despite ongoing efforts to enhance trade facilitation. She highlighted improvements such as digitalized simplified trade regimes, e-certificates of origin exchange, increased collaboration between revenue authorities, and engagement with the private sector, all contributing to reduced border delays and enhanced trade efficiency.
Ms. Mutaawe also announced the launch of the EAC Customs Bond on 6th December 2025, aimed at easing cash-flow burdens for traders, streamlining transit operations, and facilitating smoother cross-border trade. The pilot phase has already been successfully completed, with sensitization campaigns set to intensify during rollout.
As the region strengthens trade facilitation, addresses NTBs, and aligns with continental frameworks, the EAC is positioning itself for greater competitiveness, regional integration, and shared prosperity, leveraging both intra-regional and continental opportunities.
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