Guiding Framework

2030 Agenda of the United Nations

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit of Heads of State and Government in New York on 25 September 2015, is a milestone in international cooperation. Its objective is to make global development sustainable on a social, ecological and economic level. The 2030 Agenda is based on the principle to take on board even the weakest and most vulnerable (leave no one behind) and seeks to secure opportunities for future generations to live a fulfilled life. As the overarching global agenda guiding international cooperation, the 2030 Agenda builds the framework for all German Development Cooperation activities. Therefore, our support to the EAC on EAC integration contributes to the fulfilment of one or several SDGs. Besides the 2030 Agenda, African countries have committed to implement the African Union Agenda 2063, which is both a vision and a plan to build a more prosperous Africa in 50 years. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development acknowledges the importance of the AU Agenda 2063 and considers it an integral part of it. Find out more on sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda here.

Agenda 2063 of the African Union

In 2013, the members of the African Union (AU) adopted the Agenda 2063, a common vision for Africa's development over the next 50 years. It aims at creating “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”, thereby also acknowledging “the critical role of Regional Economic Communities as building blocks for continental unity”.

In the Agenda 2063, the AU members laid down the following aspirations:

  • A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
  • An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa's Renaissance
  • An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
  • A peaceful and secure Africa
  • An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics
  • An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth
  • An Africa as a strong, united, and influential global player and partner

Those aspirations are shared by the East African Community and German Development Cooperation and are hence playing a major role in the EAC integration process. Learn more about the Agenda 2063.

Vision 2050 of the East African Community

The EAC Vision 2050 articulates the dreams and aspirations of the East African peoples and makes a commitment to what they will do to achieve these dreams. It follows closely on the development of the African Union Agenda 2063 which articulates the aspiration of all the people of the African continent. The EAC Vision also aligns to the Agenda 2030. The Vision lays out a broad perspective for the region to optimise the utilisation of its resources and to accelerate productivity as well as the social wellbeing of its people. It portrays a future East Africa with rising personal prosperity in cohesive societies, competitive economies, and strong inter-regional interaction. As the central framework for the EAC, the vision guides the support of German Development Cooperation towards the EAC integration process. Read more about the EAC and its Vision 2050 in the EAC Information Repository.