Unlocking Regional Opportunities: Empowering SMEs Through EAC-GIZ Partnership (GIZ)
"We are grateful to EAC and GIZ for their support, which has enabled our company to build additional networks and create more linkages in the EAC and beyond. With knowledge sharing and networking at various exhibitions, I plan to diversify our product portfolio beyond cashew nuts and supply markets across EAC and Africa and eventually go global." Fatna Tambwe General Manager, Munawar Foods, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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About German Development Cooperation
The East African Community (EAC) and Germany are united by a long history of cooperation that predates the re-establishment of the East African Community (EAC) in 2000. The German government has supported the East African integration since 1999, based on the common understanding that regional integration will improve the social and economic development of EAC Partner States. Since then, Germany has committed more than 580 million euros for development cooperation with the EAC, making Germany one of the biggest and most reliable bilateral development partners of the community.
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EAC Trade on the Rise as Leaders Commit to Addressing Barriers at the 25th MSMES Trade Fair (GIZ)
East Africans are trading more with each other and benefiting from an increasingly connected marketplace, with intra-EAC trade growing by 27%, from USD 14.2 billion to USD 18 billion between June 2024 and June 2025. Within the same period, total EAC trade with the rest of the world increased by 22%, rising from USD 115.4 billion to USD 140.8 billion. This was shared during the opening of the 25th EAC Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair held in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Beyond Borders: Expanding Financial Inclusion Through e-Commerce (GIZ)
In the evolving landscape of Africa’s digital economy, cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has emerged as a transformative force, particularly for rural women entrepreneurs. For Mwanama, a small-scale maize trader at the Isebania–Sirari border between Kenya and Tanzania, e-commerce has transformed how she does business. She began trading informally across the border by taking orders via phone from customers and delivering them locally using tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaws). As her customer base grew, she officially registered her business, enabling her to trade under the East Africa Community Customs Union Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
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East Africa and Europe Harness Partnerships to Drive E-commerce and Digital Trade (GIZ)
A delegation of East African e-commerce and private sector associations embarked on a study tour to Europe to foster strategic partnerships with European counterparts. Taking place in Brussels and Berlin, the visit aims to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen business linkages between East Africa and the EU.
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Reinforcing CSOs Engagement in the EAC Integration Processes: The Case of Democratic Republic of The Congo (GIZ)
Civil society is ensuring that citizens are heard and play a central role in the shaping of policies – the same is true for regional economic integration in East Africa. In 2024, the East African Civil Society Organizations' Forum (EACSOF), supported by GIZ through the EU-Cofunded LIFTED project, witnessed the establishment of a local chapter of EACSOF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which aims to bring in the voices of Congolese civil society in economic integration in East Africa.
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Team Europe and its African Partners Launch Joint Programme to Strengthen Health Systems in East and Southern Africa (GIZ)
On 23 October 2025, Team Europe and its African partners launched a new regional initiative to strengthen health systems and expand access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across East and Southern Africa. The programme Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity in East and Southern Africa (RAISE SRHR) aims to improve access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and commodities, while enhancing regional collaboration and accountability. RAISE SRHR builds on long-standing investments by the EU and its Member States under the broader Africa–EU Health Partnership.
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Empowering Civil Society as a Driving Force in Regional Economic Integration – A Transformative Year for EACSOF (GIZ)
Integration of civil society voices is key to driving people-centred East African integration. One of the central actors to shape and communicate these voices is the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF) – a regional NGO founded in 2009 in Arusha, Tanzania. It represents civil society organisations across East Africa. EACSOF aims to enhance civil society engagement in the EAC integration process through information sharing, networking, and capacity building.
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Forging East Africa’s Cashew Experts: Strengthening Regional Value Chains for Industrial Growth (GIZ)
The 20th edition of the Cashew Master Training Program (MTP) marked a significant step forward in professionalising the cashew industry across East Africa. For the first time, the training was hosted within the EAC region, with sessions held in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The MTP curriculum combined theoretical learning and hands-on practice across the entire cashew value chain, from the development of improved planting materials and Good Agricultural Practices to post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing. Cross-cutting topics such as gender inclusion, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience were also integrated.
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Unlocking Regional Opportunities: Empowering SMEs Through EAC-GIZ Partnership (GIZ)
"We are grateful to EAC and GIZ for their support, which has enabled our company to build additional networks and create more linkages in the EAC and beyond. With knowledge sharing and networking at various exhibitions, I plan to diversify our product portfolio beyond cashew nuts and supply markets across EAC and Africa and eventually go global." Fatna Tambwe General Manager, Munawar Foods, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Read More....About German Development Cooperation
The East African Community (EAC) and Germany are united by a long history of cooperation that predates the re-establishment of the East African Community (EAC) in 2000. The German government has supported the East African integration since 1999, based on the common understanding that regional integration will improve the social and economic development of EAC Partner States. Since then, Germany has committed more than 580 million euros for development cooperation with the EAC, making Germany one of the biggest and most reliable bilateral development partners of the community.
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Agriculture & Food Security
Agriculture is one of East Africa’s most important sectors with about 80% of the region’s population living in rural areas and depending on agriculture for their livelihood.
Customs Union & Common Market
While the objectives of the East African Community cover almost all spheres of life, the main goal of the Customs Union is the formation of a Single Customs Territory and the implementation of the…
Education & Training
Recognising the importance of education and science & technology in economic development, the EAC focuses on harmonised curricula, certification and accreditation institutions as well as joint…
Environment & Natural Resources
The East African Community is endowed with various natural resources such as forests, water, wildlife, mountains, minerals and energy resources.
Gender, Community Development & Civil Society Mobilization
EAC regional integration is people-centred and participatory. To this end, broad participation of key stakeholders including women, youth, private sector and civil society is needed. Partner States…
Health
The EAC Secretariat is mandated to offer advisory and coordinating support for the Seven Partner States in the prevention of and response to outbreaks of infectious diseases of public health concern.
Industrial Development & SMEs
The EAC Partner States aspire to transform their economies to a modern and industrialised status that can sustainably generate sufficient outputs to satisfy both domestic and export markets and…
Investment & Private Sector Development
With the aim of harnessing the investment potential to promote economic growth and development in the region, the EAC Partner States have agreed to cooperate in the areas of Investment and Industrial…
Organisational Development & Outreach
The fast pace of EAC integration necessitates constant development of EAC at an organisational level to steer the integrational process. Furthermore, clear and tangible communication on the benefits…
Peace & Security
The EAC aims to achieve a peaceful and integrated region by enabling and enforcing collaboration between Partner States in preventing and resolving disputes and conflicts and ridding the region of…
Tourism & Wildlife
East Africa has recorded impressive achievements in the realm of tourism owing to the conscious efforts by EAC Partner States to work together in promoting growth in the sector.
