A German business delegation led by Hessian Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Bureaucracy Reduction, Manfred Pentz, has concluded a three-country Invest.EastAfrica! visit to Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya, advancing business and investment partnerships between Germany and the East African Community (EAC).

Across the three countries, German businesses engaged directly with political leaders, regional institutions and East African companies in sectors ranging from agribusiness, trade and carbon markets to digital markets and artificial intelligence, tourism, logistics, and pharmaceuticals.

The engagements highlighted the three Partner States as complementary entry points into the wider EAC market, demonstrating the range of opportunities available to German businesses across an increasingly integrated region.

Speaking at the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi, Minister Pentz said:

“East Africa brings scale, talent, technology and strong growth, while Hessen brings industrial excellence, research, capital and access to the European market. This is a powerful combination. Together, we can turn innovation made in Africa and technology made in Germany into new opportunities for trade, investment and jobs.” 

**Rwanda: Connecting investment and innovation with regional opportunity**

In Rwanda, the delegation engaged with the country’s investment and innovation ecosystem, with discussions focused on digital services, pharmaceuticals and agribusiness. 

Engagement with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) focused on moving business interest towards concrete opportunities and partnerships. RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika called on participating companies to identify tangible next steps:

“We invite you to participate in a fast-growing market and build businesses whose success creates value for Europe and East Africa. I encourage every company here to identify one concrete opportunity, one credible partner and one practical next step. RDB is ready to move with you from discussion to decision, and from decision to implementation.” 

The delegation also visited the Rwanda Bioeconomy Hub, highlighting an established German–Rwandan partnership supporting biotechnology infrastructure, skills and entrepreneurship and helping translate innovation into commercially viable solutions.

![Image - 2026-09-19T082346.116.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_09_19_T082346_116_8547c95391.jpg)
_RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika with Hessen State Minister Manfred Pentz at Invest.EastAfrica! in Kigali, Rwanda._

**Tanzania: Turning business interest into concrete opportunities**

Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith Kapinga, welcomed Minister Pentz and the German business delegation in Dar es Salaam. At a joint press conference, both Ministers underlined the economic opportunities for German and Tanzanian businesses and their shared interest in partnerships that benefit both sides.

Carbon markets formed key part of the engagement. Inès Oddo, Head of Nature-Based Solutions at ODDO BHF, highlighted carbon-credit opportunities and the role of finance in developing viable projects. ODDO BHF’s partnership with the Kilimanjaro Project, a Tanzanian initiative combining ecosystem restoration with carbon finance and local livelihoods, provided a concrete example of how such models can connect environmental outcomes with investment.

![Image - 2026-09-19T082347.371.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_09_19_T082347_371_b72fab57af.jpg)
_Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith Kapinga, with Hessen State Minister Manfred Pentz at Invest.EastAfrica! in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania._

**Kenya: Connecting Hessen with East Africa’s regional economic and digital opportunity**

In Nairobi, a key outcome of the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum was the launch of the Hessen Partnership with the EAC AI Alliance, connecting East Africa’s AI ecosystem with Hessen, “Europe’s Silicon Valley.”

Signed by Minister Pentz, Dr. Sylvance Okeyo Okoth, Executive Secretary of the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), and Prof. Idris A. Rai, Acting Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the partnership establishes practical cooperation across AI skills and knowledge exchange, applied research and innovation, responsible AI, and business and entrepreneurship.

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_Signing ceremony of the Hessen Partnership with the EAC AI Alliance at the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya._

A visit to Digital Realty in Nairobi, part of Africa’s largest interconnected data-centre platform, highlighted the infrastructure underpinning East Africa’s growing cloud, data and AI economy and opportunities for deeper technology and business connections.

In talks with Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, Minister Pentz discussed opportunities to translate the longstanding German–Kenyan partnership into greater investment, technology transfer and new opportunities for German and Kenyan businesses. He also met with Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs of Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, with discussions including the EU–EAC Economic Partnership Agreement and the opportunities that greater market access could create for trade between the two regions. Minister Pentz extended an invitation to both leaders to attend Invest.EastAfrica! 2027 in Frankfurt, continuing the engagement between Hessen and East Africa.

For Hessen, this is about doing business: bringing together two economic powerhouses and creating opportunities in both directions. Hessian companies gain connections to East Africa’s regional market of around 330 million people, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening opportunities across a wider African market of more than 1.3 billion people. East African businesses, in turn, can use Hessen — home to 6.5 million people and one of Germany’s strongest economic centres — as a gateway to the wider European market.

**About GIZ**

GIZ works with the East African Community on behalf of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to advance regional economic integration and strengthen cooperation between East Africa and Germany.

Through Invest.EastAfrica!, GIZ connects businesses, governments and regional institutions, linking German companies with opportunities across the EAC and bringing East African businesses closer to German and European markets. GIZ also supports viable business initiatives and project pipelines, connecting them with relevant partners, expertise and financing instruments to help move business interest towards concrete partnerships and implementation.

Invest.EastAfrica! Connecting Two Economic Powerhouses: Hessen and the East African Community Advance Business Ties

From 25 to 28 August 2026, governments, universities, development partners and industry leaders from across East Africa met in Nairobi for the 2nd East African Community (EAC) Regional Conference on Education to co-create practical approaches for harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen education systems and improve learning opportunities across the region. 

Held under the theme **“Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact,”** discussions focused on teacher development, digital learning, inclusion and education financing, and particularly on how AI can be responsibly integrated into the education ecosystem.

**From AI awareness to institutional action**

The EAC AI Alliance's contribution began even before the official conference opened. On 25 August, GIZ jointly convened a pre-conference workshop alongside UNESCO and IUCEA, titled **“AI in Education: From Awareness to Responsible Institutional Optimisation.” ** The workshop brought together approximately 150 participants.

Designed around practical case studies, real-world scenarios and interactive discussions, the session explored how schools, universities and governments can adopt AI responsibly while managing emerging risks. Participants examined issues ranging from procurement and governance to ethics, data protection, bias and accountability.

With AI advancing faster than governance frameworks can keep up, discussions pointed to two urgent priorities: strengthening institutional safeguards, including transparency, explainability, bias testing and vendor accountability in AI procurement; and greater investment in local-language AI capabilities to ensure learners are not excluded from digital opportunities because of linguistic barriers.

**Connecting academia, industry and government**

On 26 August , a panel discussion held under theme **“From Innovation to Impact: Bridging Academia, Industry and Government for AI-Driven Digital Transformation.”**

The focus here was primarily on how East Africa can move beyond fragmented AI initiatives towards coordinated, measurable impact, and the roles that academia, government and industry need to play in getting there.

Panellists highlighted the potential of the EAC AI Declaration and Strategy to strengthen regional cooperation, including around financing and access to computing resources, while higher education institutions remain critical to developing AI talent and strengthening research collaboration. Industry also has an important role to play through investment in scholarships, mentorship programmes and portable credentials that can help connect skills development with opportunities.

With EASTECO, IUCEA, Microsoft and the Equity Group Foundation represented on the panel, the discussion brought these different roles together, reinforcing the need for regional standards and quality assurance mechanisms that can provide greater consistency across AI training programmes.

**From regional discussions to shared commitments**

Beyond the Alliance's engagements, the conference delivered important regional commitments. During a closed-door ministerial roundtable, Education Ministers from EAC Partner States agreed on key priorities, including increasing education financing toward a minimum benchmark of 20 percent of national budgets, strengthening teacher workforce development, establishing an EAC Community of Practice on education data to support cross-border research and harmonisation, and advancing national AI governance frameworks with stronger ethical and accountability standards.

Beyond this, it was agreed that technology strategies must remain inclusive, combining AI with lower-cost approaches such as radio, print and offline learning tools to reach underserved communities. This responds to the reality that many schools across the region still lack the reliable electricity, devices and internet connectivity required for effective digital learning.

**Turning commitments into progress**

The conference reflected strong political commitment to the region's education agenda, with participation from Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, representing President William Ruto, and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers.

Nearly 200 presentations across nine thematic areas demonstrated the breadth of work already underway across the region. With Uganda set to host the next conference in 2028, the focus now shifts to implementation — and the progress East Africa can demonstrate against the commitments made in Nairobi.


From AI Ambition to Implementation: East Africa Advances Responsible AI in Education

On 11th August the East African Community (EAC) and the Government of Germany launched the second edition of the EAC Artificial Intelligence Challenge, dubbed AI4EAC, expanding opportunities for young people, researchers and entrepreneurs across the region to gain AI skills and develop practical solutions to East Africa’s challenges.

The second edition aims to reach 20,000 East Africans through AI skilling across all EAC Partner States, with students, researchers and entrepreneurs gaining opportunities to develop practical solutions for regional development. 

The Alliance welcomed Equity Group Holdings and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as new strategic partners, strengthening collaboration in AI research, digital skills development and innovation across the region.

The Challenge comes with USD 50,000 in prize funding to support winning teams developing AI-powered solutions to regional challenges. To Register, [access this link](https://ai4eac.org/innovation-challenge). 

Among the new Challenge tracks, the programme will introduce a dedicated Ebola Response Challenge, inviting researchers, students and innovators to develop AI models that support disease outbreak detection, preparedness and response. The challenge reflects the Alliance’s continued focus on harnessing AI to strengthen public health systems and improve regional resilience against emerging health threats.

The second edition of the Challenge was officially launched following a high-level AI Roundtable at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, bringing together representatives from the EAC Secretariat, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Embassy, development partners, academia and the private sector, including Equity Group Holdings, Bayer, Cassava Technologies and Zindi.

Speaking on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the initiative demonstrates the EAC’s commitment to preparing its citizens for the opportunities created by Artificial Intelligence. “Our priority is to ensure East Africans have the skills, knowledge and partnerships to harness AI to create jobs, improve public services and develop solutions to our region’s challenges. Through the EAC AI Alliance, we are investing in our greatest asset, our people, while building a regional innovation ecosystem that positions East Africa to compete in the global digital economy,” he said.

On his part, the Head of Division East and Central Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Joachim Schmitt, said Germany’s support for the EAC AI Alliance underscores the need for a coordinated regional approach to advancing artificial intelligence in East Africa.

“Since 2019, Africa has attracted $1.25 billion in AI investment, but 80 percent has gone to just four countries. Africa also has less than one percent of the world’s data-centre capacity while it is home to 18% of the world’s population. East Africa reflects the same imbalance, with some countries far ahead while others are just starting. No single country can close this gap alone. Through the EAC AI Alliance, Germany is supporting a regional approach that builds practical AI skills, applied research and AI policy shaped by the needs of the people of East Africa,” he said.

On her part, Equity Group’s Director of Innovation and Technology, Ms Winnie Mangeni, said the partnership on the finance track will encourage students, researchers and innovators to develop practical and inclusive AI solutions for the region’s financial sector.

“We want participants to work on real-world challenges, benefit from the experience and develop solutions that can progress beyond the competition,” she said.

The inaugural AI4EAC Innovation Challenge, held in 2025 and delivered by Zindi in partnership with IUCEA, EASTECO, GIZ, UNESCO Campus Africa and JICA, engaged 3,891 participants from 57 universities across Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Through a six-month programme of courses, webinars and hands-on training, participants developed AI solutions addressing challenges in health, agriculture, finance and education, while top performers secured internship opportunities with leading organisations.

The EAC AI Alliance, commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in partnership with EASTECO and IUCEA, continues to expand its network of institutional and private sector partners.

The new partnerships will support the Alliance’s mission to modernise university teaching and research, bridge regional digital skills gaps and advance a harmonised, gender-responsive regional AI policy framework across the eight EAC Partner States.


EAC and Germany Launch 2nd Artificial Intelligence Innovation Challenge to Equip East African for the Digital Economy

The East African Community (EAC) and the Federal Republic of Germany have renewed their commitment to advancing regional integration following the conclusion of Development Cooperation Negotiations on 10th August at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, with Germany committing €39.8 million in new grant funding to strengthen regional trade and economic integration across the region.

The EAC delegation was led by the Secretary General, Ambassador Stephen P. Mbundi, while the German delegation was headed by Mr Joachim Schmitt, Head of the Central and East Africa Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

Speaking when he held a bilateral with the delegation, Amb. Mbundi appreciated Germany for being a longstanding partner of the EAC, noting that the country’s sustained collaboration has contributed significantly to the Community’s regional integration journey.

“Germany is a longstanding partner of the EAC. We appreciate Germany’s continued confidence in the EAC and its commitment to supporting regional integration, trade and sustainable development,” he said.

![Image - 2026-08-13T110726.364.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_08_13_T110726_364_a68ba94efe.jpg)

On her end, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, appreciated the German delegation for their commitment to supporting the Community, noting that the discussions came at a strategic time as the EAC embarks on implementation of its 7th Development Strategy.

“As we look towards implementing the 7th EAC Development Strategy, renewing our cooperation with Germany is critical. We appreciate Germany for coming to the table with us to review our priorities and identify areas where we can work together to deliver results. This is the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility that is essential to achieving the objectives of our regional integration agenda,” said Ms. Ssemuwemba.

The discussions focused on support for the EAC’s 7th Development Strategy. During the negotiations, Germany and the EAC agreed that the core mandate is to further advance East African trade and the region’s economic integration. Germany is committing 39.8 million euros in grants for this purpose. 

Mr Joachim Schmitt stated that “East Africa is the fastest growing region with a 14% increase in intra-EAC trade, growing trade volumes within the AfCFTA and beyond the continent. Furthermore, the region is an interesting investment hub for the German and European private sector interested in trade and value chain development. With our cooperation we want to support rules-based trade integration, regional economic development and deepen private sector engagement.”

![Image - 2026-08-13T110732.808.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_08_13_T110732_808_8137e96dad.jpg)

EAC and Germany further expressed their interest to advance their partnership and support to the “Invest.EastAfrica! – German-East Africa Business and Investment Forum”, an initiative by the EAC Secretariat, the State of Hesse, the East African Business Council and various German business organisations, recognising its role in promoting investment, trade and stronger economic ties between Germany and the East African region. Both sides also welcomed the preparations and readiness for the upcoming EU-EAC negotiations on a joint Economic Partnership Agreement. The outlook is clear both economic zones, including markets, businesses, and consumers, will benefit if they succeed in negotiating a forward-looking and sustainable agreement for both sides.

The newly allocated funds shall focus on promoting access to financial services for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the EAC through a partnership between the German development bank KfW and the East African Development Bank.  MSMEs account for up to 80% of employment in the region and are key drivers of innovation, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

As a central pillar of quality infrastructure, metrology forms the basis for fair trade, regional and continental integration, and participation in global value chains. Reliable measurement results enhance consumer protection, promote local economic development, and benefit both African and German/European economies. Part of the German funds will be used to foster metrology standards through a partnership between the German National Metrology Institute and corresponding partners in the East African region.

Germany welcomed the EAC's progress on institutional reforms, including the adoption of the 7th EAC Development Strategy, and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its implementation through technical and financial cooperation. Both partners also stressed the importance of closer collaboration and coordination with civil society, the private sector and development partners to strengthen regional cooperation.

As part of its commitment to the EU Global Gateway strategy and as part of Team Europe, Germany will continue working closely with the European Union and all its engaged member states to support regional initiatives in trade, digital transformation, health, transboundary water management, civil society and sustainable economic development.

As part of the new funding allocation EUR 4.8 million are earmarked as additional German support in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region for measures dedicated to direct Ebola preparedness, prevention and response as well as to overall strengthening of regional capacities and coordination. The activities will be implemented through the EAC/GIZ project “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” (PanPrep), which supports the region since 2017. 

The additional resources will finance targeted Ebola response measures, including practical infection prevention and control (IPC) trainings for frontline healthcare workers, the procurement and distribution of Ebola-specific personal protective equipment (PPE), strengthened regulatory preparedness to accelerate access to potential Ebola vaccines, therapeutics and other medical countermeasures, as well as community sensitization activities to reduce vaccine hesitancy and support future Ebola vaccination campaigns. 

All interventions will be implemented in close coordination with the EAC Secretariat and the respective partner states and aligned with the Continental Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan led by Africa CDC and WHO, ensuring complementarity with regional and international response efforts.

Germany remains a reliable partner of the East African Community and looks forward to continuing its long-standing cooperation to advance regional integration, sustainable development and shared prosperity across East Africa.

![Image - 2026-08-13T110718.915.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_08_13_T110718_915_00d46898b1.jpg)

EAC and Germany Renew Cooperation to Advance Regional Integration with €39.8 Million in New Grant Funding

On 5th August the EAC reiterated its commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships to unlock the region’s trade and investment potential. The Chief Guest of the EABC CEOs–Trade & Investment Roundtable Tanzania Edition, H.E. Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), has urged the private sector to expand trade operations and investments across the region to boost job creation and prosperity.

H.E. Amb. Mbundi lauded the East Africa CEO and Investment Forum 2026, scheduled for 17 to 18 September 2026 in Nairobi, as a platform to champion East Africa as one of the most ideal investment destinations on the continent. He applauded the strong commitment and vision of the EAC Heads of State to increase intra-EAC trade to 50% by 2030.

In 2025, intra-EAC trade stood at US$19.7 billion, compared to US$137 billion in trade with the rest of the world, highlighting the significant opportunity to deepen regional trade and integration. (Source: EAC Trade Portal Annual Trade Statistics 2025.) Amb. Mbundi also called upon the private sector to fully utilise the Single Customs Territory to enhance border efficiency and facilitate seamless movement of goods across the region.

"Our priority as the EAC Secretariat is to implement the vision and commitment of increasing intra-EAC trade. This must become the benchmark against which every policy, partnership and reform is measured. Achieving this target will require genuine collaboration between governments and the private sector," said H.E. Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi.

In his remarks, Mr Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of EABC, stated: "Regional integration must be built with business, not simply for business. The private sector must be at the centre of shaping policies that make East Africa more competitive and investment-ready."

He emphasised that a strong regional market creates resilience to compete globally and called for the elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), addressing uneven implementation of the Common External Tariff (CET), divergent tax regimes, and high transport and logistics costs.

On his part, Mr Maximilian Müller, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in the United Republic of Tanzania stated: "A larger, more predictable and better-connected East African market creates opportunities not only for the region but also for responsible international investment and stronger economic partnerships. Germany is committed to supporting platforms that connect governments, investors and businesses to turn opportunities into concrete investments and jobs." 

He noted that the dialogue also marks the beginning of a broader journey through the Invest.EastAfrica! platform. Following the successful inaugural forum, the initiative is being expanded through national sector-specific editions starting this September across East Africa, culminating in the next Invest.EastAfrica! Forum in Germany. 

Mr Stephen Wambura, Country Manager, East African Development Bank (EADB), noted: "The East African Development Bank is committed to financing the businesses that will drive regional integration, industrialisation and sustainable economic growth across the East African Community." He added that EADB is proud to co-convene the upcoming East Africa CEO and Investment Forum 2026 with EABC.

![Image - 2026-08-13T103638.872.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_08_13_T103638_872_81cd3ab1a1.jpg)

The EABC CEOs–Trade & Investment Roundtable brought together over 70 government leaders, business executives, private sector associations and development partners to discuss strategies for enhancing East Africa’s competitiveness in intra- and extra-EAC trade and investment. The Roundtable featured presentations on Tanzania’s Investment Opportunities and Incentive Regime by Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) and the Tanzania Economic Outlook by PwC, providing insights into economic trends, trade prospects and investment opportunities.

The Roundtable discussions and proposals will inform the development of the EAC Trade and Investment Climate Report, which will be launched during the East Africa CEO and Investment Forum in September 2026.

**About the Upcoming EABC East Africa CEO & Investment Forum – September 2026**

The EABC East Africa CEO & Investment Forum 2026 will take place on 17 and 18 September 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Forum is a CEO-led, results-oriented platform designed to shape East Africa’s trade, investment and competitiveness agenda while catalysing strategic partnerships and investment deals. It positions the private sector at the centre of regional integration and sustainable economic growth.

The Forum will convene over 500 high-level participants, including regional and international CEOs, institutional and private investors, development finance institutions, Partner States’ Investment Promotion Agencies, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond. The Forum will focus on investment conversion, deals and commitments, featuring structured Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking sessions centred on investment-ready opportunities across East Africa. 

The Forum will also host a special delegation of 50 investors from the European Union, led by Mr Manfred Pentz, State Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Bureaucracy Reduction of the State of Hesse, Germany. The Forum is organised with the support of the German Development Cooperation, TradeMark Africa, the European Union, the International Trade Centre, the East African Development Bank (EADB), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Register [here](www.eabc-online.com). 


EABC, EADB and German Development Cooperation Announce East Africa CEO & Investment Forum 2026 at Tanzania CEOs Trade & Investment Roundtable

On 7 July 2026, the East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) marked the 5th EAC World Kiswahili Language Day Celebrations at Jardin Public in Bujumbura, under the theme “Kiswahili, Multilingualism, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

Building on the 2026 UNESCO World Kiswahili Language Day theme, "Kiswahili for Peace, Solidarity and Global Economic Diplomacy," the EAKC theme affirms that as AI reshapes global communication, Kiswahili must become a digitally empowered African language that strengthens multilingual inclusion, fosters peace and solidarity, and advances regional integration and global economic diplomacy.

The celebrations were attended by the Chief Guest, Hon. Lydia Nsekera, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of Burundi, representing H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union, alongside other high-level dignitaries, including Hon. James Ikuya, representing the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers; Hon. Edouard Bizimana, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation; Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly; Hon. Nestor Kayobera, Judge President of the East African Court of Justice; Heads of EAC Partner State Delegations; representatives of diplomatic missions, UNESCO and development partners, among others. 

In her remarks, Hon. Lydia Nsekera noted that Kiswahili needs to be given a high value as a language of unity, peace and economic diplomacy for East Africa, and highlighted Burundi’s pride in hosting the region as it advances Kiswahili’s digital future.

The celebrations followed two days of deliberations at the 3rd EAKC International Kiswahili Conference, held from 5 to 6 July 2026 at the Donatus Conference Centre in Bujumbura, which brought together policymakers, scholars, technologists, youth, publishers and development partners from across the EAC Partner States and beyond. The Conference examined how Kiswahili, spoken by an estimated more than 250 million people, and East Africa’s rich multilingual heritage can be fully embedded in the AI systems that are reshaping education, public services, trade and innovation, so that no language and no community is left behind in the digital economy.

A key outcome of the event was the joint commitment of EAC Partner States on Kiswahili, Multilingualism and AI, through which the region commits to treating Kiswahili as a strategic component of its digital infrastructure. The EAC Partner States called for a regional roadmap for digitising East African languages, shared open language datasets and corpora, a sustained mechanism for standardising Kiswahili AI terminology, expanded scholarships and university collaboration, and African ownership of the language data that powers AI systems.

Through the EAC AI Alliance, the Commission in partnership with GIZ also announced the commencement of work on the Kiswahili Trust Mark (Alama ya Uthibitisho wa Kiswahili), a regional certification framework that will independently assess and certify how well AI language models understand, speak and serve Kiswahili. The Trust Mark will evaluate systems against standards of linguistic quality, terminological accuracy, cultural context and safety, and will be supported by a public register of certified AI systems giving governments, schools, businesses and citizens confidence in the AI tools they adopt. Stakeholder consultations involving regional and global institutions such as Google, PAWA AI, councils for Kiswahili in Tanzania and Zanzibar, launched at the Conference, will shape the framework over the coming year.

In a major boost to Kiswahili scholarship and knowledge production, a scholarly journal, Jarida la KAKAMA, a new peer-reviewed Kiswahili journal published by the East African Kiswahili Commission, was launched. Jarida la KAKAMA will provide a rigorous platform for scholars, practitioners and creatives to publish original research, essays and reviews in Kiswahili, strengthening its role as a language of science, technology, innovation and regional integration.

EAKC, in collaboration with Google, unveiled a new compendium of Kiswahili AI terminologies developed in collaboration with UNESCO, BAKITA, BAKIZA, TATAKI and other partners, which stakeholders are expected to review and provide comments on. This adds to the UNESCO-supported English–Kiswahili AI dictionary initiative launched last year, a milestone in ensuring that the language of artificial intelligence can be taught, debated and innovated in Kiswahili. 

Dr Caroline Asiimwe, Executive Secretary, East African Kiswahili Commission, stated that, “Technology must not leave African languages behind; Kiswahili will not merely keep pace with the digital revolution but help lead it.” She emphasised that AI could become a powerful tool for preserving and promoting Kiswahili, provided it is built on high-quality, locally relevant language data. "AI models must reflect the richness and evolving nature of Kiswahili," she added.

In addition, in a bid to support the development and use of Kiswahili and media resilience, EAKC announced the launch of the translated Model Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for Media Institutions developed by UNESCO and translated into Kiswahili by EAKC and stakeholders. This model plan will be accessible to Kiswahili-speaking media houses to strengthen disaster risk preparedness, crisis communication and continuity planning, ensuring that journalists and media institutions can continue to inform citizens in times of emergency.

The outcomes of these events build on growing regional cooperation on artificial intelligence, including initiatives under the EAC Declaration on Artificial Intelligence adopted in Kigali in April 2026 and the EAC AI Alliance, and will be pursued together with EAC organs and institutions, among them the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Development Bank (EADB), the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), as well as UNESCO, development partners and the private sector.

![Kiswahili Commission.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Kiswahili_Commission_20c40e72b3.jpg)

East Africa Puts Kiswahili at the Heart of the Artificial Intelligence Era 

The East African Community has intensified efforts to accelerate regional digital integration by convening the 2026 Digital for Development (D4D) Forum at its Headquarters, in Arusha, Tanzania on 23-24 June, 2026. 

The high-level platform aims at translating regional digital strategies into concrete actions, investments and partnerships that will benefit citizens and businesses across the region. 

The Forum brings together senior policymakers, regulators, parliamentarians, central banks, private sector leaders, civil society and development partners to advance implementation of the region’s digital transformation agenda under the theme “From 
Strategy to Implementation: Building the Digital Single Market.” 

The Forum comes at a critical time as the EAC advances implementation of key regional digital frameworks, including the EAC Digital Transformation Strategy, the Cross-Border Payment System Master Plan and the E-Commerce Strategy. 

Together, these frameworks provide a roadmap for developing a secure, inclusive and interoperable digital ecosystem that supports the EAC Customs Union, Common Market and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  It is expected to contribute to the development of interoperable payment systems, digital public services and e-commerce ecosystems that will make it easier for businesses to trade across borders, reduce transaction costs, improve access to services and create new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation, particularly for women and youth. 

Speaking during the opening session, the EAC Deputy Secretary General responsible for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Hon. Annette Ssemuwemba, reflected on the journey from the first Digital for Development Forum in 2023 through the co-creation process in 2024 that shaped the DEEP Programme.

“Digital transformation is no longer an option; it is a necessity for accelerating regional integration and expanding trade opportunities. Our focus now is implementation and ensuring that citizens and businesses experience the benefits of a connected digital market,” said Hon. Ssemuwemba.

![EAC SG office _117_reduced.JPG](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/EAC_SG_office_117_reduced_ab0fb79560.JPG)

Despite significant progress, barriers remain. Digital systems are not yet fully interoperable, cross-border payments remain costly, e-government platforms often operate in isolation, and innovative private sector solutions face uneven regulatory environments. The Forum therefore serves as a working platform to address these challenges, align implementation priorities and unlock the potential of a Digital Single Market serving more than 330 million citizens across the EAC’s eight Partner States. 

On her part, Ms. Paola Trevisan, Acting Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Tanzania and the EAC, reaffirmed the EU's commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial digital partnership with the EAC, anchored in the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the EU Tech Offer, which brings European expertise, standards and investment to support partner regions.  

The Forum commenced the EU–EAC Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services (EU–EAC DEEP) Programme. DEEP, funded by the European Union and Team Europe partners Germany, France and Estonia and implemented by 
GIZ, ESTDEV and Expertise France, supports implementation of the EAC digital policy agreements with a strong focus on e-commerce, e-payments, e-governance and cybersecurity. 

![EAC SG office _54_resized.JPG](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/EAC_SG_office_54_resized_b6e3306521.JPG)

In line with the Programme’s Digital Public Infrastructure Acceleration Mechanism and the EU’s Global Gateway investment approach, the Forum is also serving as a platform for identifying and structuring a pipeline of bankable regional digital projects. 
These projects span critical areas such as interoperable payment systems, regional e-government platforms, cross-border digital public services and secure data-sharing infrastructure. 

Participants are working to align priority projects with suitable financing instruments from Global Gateway, European and African development finance institutions, commercial banks and private investors, with the aim of moving from pilot initiatives to scalable and investment-ready solutions. The Forum also provides a platform for public-private collaboration, connecting policymakers and regulators with fintechs, e-commerce platforms and other technology providers capable of deploying proven solutions at regional scale. 

By the close of the Forum, participants are expected to agree on a set of practical recommendations, partnership commitments and investment-ready initiatives that will accelerate implementation of the EAC Digital Transformation Agenda and bring East Africa closer to a secure, inclusive and interoperable Digital Single Market.


From Strategy to Implementation: Building East Africa's Digital Single Market

_Estonia hosts European and East African partners to strengthen long-term cooperation around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)_

As the next market that matters, DPI has become a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration and economic growth strategy. Held from 25 to 27 May, discussions in Tallinn, Estonia offered a practical lens into how robust digital foundations such as secure data exchange, digital identity and payment systems, alongside partnerships with global digital pioneers, can strengthen cross-border trade, improve public service delivery and foster a more unified regional digital market.

The Europe–East Africa DPI Forum brought together technology companies, government institutions, investors and development partners to strengthen strategic connections between the East African Community (EAC) and European private sector actors, fostering long-term digital cooperation and investment partnerships. The forum forms part of the broader EU–EAC DEEP (Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services) and Deliver projects, implemented by the D4DHub, GIZ, ESTDEV and Expertise France, which are developing selected use cases to enhance cross-border digital services across the region.

Hosted by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), the three-day programme offered participants with  insights into Estonia’s digital transformation journey as a pioneer in e-government and a frontrunner in DPI, highlighting secure data exchange systems such as X-Road, digital identity and cybersecurity governance models as examples that can help strengthen the EAC’s regional digital ecosystem. 

The delegation also attended the Africa Business Forum held on 26 May, which featured high-level networking sessions and explored emerging digital trade opportunities between Europe and East Africa. These discussions were further advanced during the DPI-focused side event, which deep-dived into practical cooperation opportunities and partnership modalities around digital platforms and services supporting regional integration, trade and public service delivery in the EAC.

![RAS_0646.JPG](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/RAS_0646_0f772aab45.JPG)

As a key outcome of the side event, ITL and EABC signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate strategic connections between both private sectors for long-term collaboration. 

Reflecting on the importance of business partnerships in advancing digital transformation, Doris Põld, CEO of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, noted:

“Estonian companies have built globally recognised expertise in digital governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, and trusted digital services. Through this partnership with the East African Business Council, we want to create practical opportunities for cooperation, where companies from both regions can share knowledge, develop new partnerships, and build scalable digital solutions together. We see strong potential for long-term collaboration supporting East Africa’s rapidly growing digital transformation ambitions.”

Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the East African Business Council, highlighted the partnership’s potential to strengthen regional innovation and business opportunities across East Africa:

“Through this partnership with ITL Estonia, EABC aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, investment linkages, and private sector collaboration that will accelerate digital transformation, innovation, and regional integration across East Africa. We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs and young innovators, to participate competitively in the global digital economy.”

At its core, the mission reflected a broader ambition: linking people, markets and digital services in ways that strengthen regional integration and economic partnerships between East Africa and Europe.

Photo credit: Rasmus Pitkänen/ESTDEV

Building Scalable Digital Partnerships Between Europe and East Africa

On 15 May, the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Stephen Mbundi, received high-performance ICT infrastructure worth EUR 205,000 (approximately USD 230,000) from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), procured under the Digitalisation for East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) Project.

The infrastructure is set to enhance the EAC’s capacity to host, secure and scale the platform, improving reliability, cybersecurity, data backup and system continuity, while supporting Africa’s first digital mechanism for mutual recognition of professional engineers.

The equipment was handed over to the Secretary General by Mr. Björn Richter, GIZ- EAC Cluster Coordinator, accompanied by Ms. Estella Aryada, the DIGEAT Programme Manager.

The EUR 205,000 infrastructure package comprises high-performance primary and disaster recovery servers, a Storage Area Network (SAN) system with enterprise-grade fibre channel connectivity, two backup appliances for automated data protection and rapid recovery, enterprise network switches, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) appliance with advanced cybersecurity services, and Windows Server Datacentre licences.

![Image - 2026-05-20T210207.105.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_05_20_T210207_105_e85d606952.jpg)

The infrastructure will enable the EAC Secretariat to independently host, secure, maintain, and scale the EAC Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) Digital Platform, a mechanism for mutual recognition of professional engineers in Africa.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Secretary General described the event as a milestone in the Community’s digital integration journey. “This handover represents more than a transfer of equipment. It is a transfer of ownership and capability. With this investment of EUR 205,000 in server infrastructure, the EAC Secretariat is now positioned as a custodian of regional digital public infrastructure, capable of facilitating secure cross-border digital services for East African professionals,” said Amb. Mbundi.

The Secretary General added that the EAC Secretariat was committed to sustaining and scaling the platform, beginning with engineers and extending to other professions including accountancy, architecture, and veterinary science. He thanked the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for their continued support to the Community and its regional integration agenda.

On his part, Mr. Richter highlighted the strategic significance of the investment.

“Following the agreements from the German-EAC Intergovernmental Negotiations 2024, GIZ procured this high-performance server infrastructure to support the EAC Secretariat in its efforts of enhancing professional mobility across the region. This investment is part of our shared agenda to further meaningful impacts for East Africans,” said Mr. Richter.

![Image - 2026-05-20T210149.087.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2026_05_20_T210149_087_2cf40c4199.jpg)

Implemented jointly by the EAC Secretariat and GIZ, DIGEAT project pilots the operationalisation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Engineers within the framework of the EAC Common Market Protocol across all eight EAC Partner States, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Through the project duration, DIGEAT has delivered a fully operational EAC MRA Digital Platform, accessible at mraportal.eac.int, which enables engineers to register, authenticate their credentials, and apply for recognition online across signatory Partner States.

These efforts position the EAC as one of the most advanced Regional Economic Communities in supporting MRAs. The bloc has concluded agreements in accountancy, architecture, engineering, and veterinary services, while negotiations for advocates MRA are at an advanced stage.

EAC Receives EUR 205,000 ICT Infrastructure to enhance its Regional Digital Platform

In the bustling heart of Kampala, where entrepreneurship increasingly intersects with innovation and regional trade, Prudence Kasibante Ukkonika has quietly built one of Uganda’s most remarkable agro-processing success stories. As Founder and Managing Director of K-Roma Ltd, the producer of Bella Wine and Bella Juice brands, she has transformed a small home-based experiment into an internationally recognised enterprise that now competes on regional and global markets.

What began in 2000 as five litres of homemade fruit wine prepared in her kitchen has grown into a thriving manufacturing business with multiple factories, regional supply chains, and international awards. Her journey reflects not only entrepreneurial determination, but also the growing potential of women-led value addition in East Africa’s agro-processing sector.

Prudence’s entrepreneurial mindset was shaped early in life by observing her father navigate changing economic conditions through brewing and trade. From him, she learned the importance of adaptability and resilience in business - lessons that would later guide her through the challenges of building a company in a sector where women were rarely visible, particularly in alcohol production, logistics, and distribution.

![Photo 3.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Photo_3_8bf38ccf98.jpg)

As demand for her products increased, production gradually expanded from the family kitchen to a garage, then to a rented production space. In 2004, she formally registered K-Roma Ltd, marking the company’s transition into formal manufacturing. By 2011, she had established her own factory, laying the foundation for long-term growth and industrial-scale production.

**Value Addition, Employment and Market Expansion**

Over the past twenty-five years, K-Roma Ltd has evolved into one of Uganda’s leading women-owned agro-processing companies. The business now operates three factories producing a range of natural fruit wines, juices, and hibiscus-based beverages under the Bella brand. The enterprise employs 30 permanent staff and engages more than 100 casual workers across production, packaging, quality assurance, and distribution.

The company’s supply chain reflects the growing interconnectedness of regional trade within the East African Community. Fruits, packaging materials, labels, bottles, and corks are sourced through suppliers in Uganda and neighbouring countries, with grapes imported from Tanzania and labels sourced from Kenya. These regional linkages demonstrate how agro-processing businesses are contributing to practical East African economic integration through cross-border value chains.

Bella products are distributed through supermarkets, wine shops, and stockists across Uganda, while regional markets such as Rwanda have maintained a steady presence for Bella Wine since 2014. Earlier expansion efforts also reached Kenya and Tanzania through trade exhibitions and distribution partnerships. Despite disruptions to regional distribution networks over the years, Prudence has continued rebuilding export channels through trade fairs, business missions, and renewed commercial partnerships.

International recognition has further elevated the company’s profile. In 2024, Bella Wine received four awards at the Big Wine Awards in Napoli, affirming the quality and competitiveness of Uganda’s fruit-based beverages on the global stage. Bella Juice had earlier earned recognition in Malaysia in 2018, while the company has showcased its products at exhibitions in Portugal, Spain, France, South Africa, Vietnam, Moscow, and Dubai. International Halal Certification for Bella Juice and hibiscus tea products has also opened access to new health-conscious and Muslim-majority markets.

**EAC Integration, Policy and Women in Cross-Border Trade  **

Prudence credits regional trade initiatives and export promotion platforms for helping strengthen her business capabilities. Through partnerships with the Uganda Export Promotion Board and National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda, as well as participation in regional exhibitions, she gained exposure to international standards, packaging requirements, and export competitiveness.

![Photo 2.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Photo_2_5a8a846db1.jpg)

Yet her journey also highlights the persistent barriers facing women in cross-border trade. Logistics challenges, changing tax regimes, and regulatory delays remain common obstacles for small and medium enterprises. Prudence often took an unusually hands-on approach to distribution, personally driving trucks to deliver products across borders in order to keep the business operational and competitive.

Her experiences have strengthened her advocacy for harmonised regional standards, more predictable taxation systems, and gender-responsive trade facilitation policies within the East African Community. Her recognition as an East African Woman in Trade Champion under the LIFTED, a project jointly co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU further amplified her role as a voice for women entrepreneurs in regional trade.

**Family Legacy and the next Generation of Entrepreneurs **

Beyond commercial success, K-Roma Ltd is deeply rooted in family, resilience, and legacy. Following the passing of her son Godwin, Prudence remained committed to continuing the vision they had built together. Today, her children are actively involved in different areas of the enterprise, including accounting, production, and marketing, reflecting her belief that African businesses must be built to survive across generations.

Looking ahead, Prudence plans to expand production capacity, strengthen regional distribution, and increase exports of hibiscus-based health products to meet growing global demand for natural beverages. Her ambition is to position Bella as a globally recognised African brand grounded in local agriculture, value addition, and innovation.

From a modest kitchen operation in Kampala to internationally celebrated organic beverages, Prudence Kasibante Ukkonika’s story stands as a powerful example of how persistence, faith, and entrepreneurship can transform local resources into globally competitive products. Her journey reflects not only the rise of a successful businesswoman, but also the broader promise of women-led industrialisation and regional trade integration across East Africa.



September 21st, 2026