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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.



A Toast to Resilience: A Woman's Journey in Transforming Uganda’s Agro-Processing Industry

In East Africa, coffee remains a key export commodity, generating around USD 1 billion annually and supporting nearly two million families across the region. In Tanzania’s Mara region alone, approximately 35,000 hectares of arable land are suitable for coffee production, reflecting strong untapped potential. However, much of this value remains unrealised. Productivity and quality are low, and access to markets is constrained. Farmers face limited access to inputs and extension services, weak agronomic practices, climate pressures and volatile prices, all of which reduce incomes and limit long-term investment. Women contribute a significant share of labour but benefit less from the economic returns, while youth participation in the sector remains low.

Coffee in the Mara region is organised through Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS), which aggregate production and channel it through the Wakulima wa Mara Cooperative Union (WAMACU) for marketing. This structure plays a central role in linking smallholder coffee producers to regional markets and export channels. Yet limited capacity in cooperative management, quality control and compliance with evolving sustainability requirements constrains their ability to access higher-value export markets. As a result, much of the value remains at lower levels of the chain. Across the region, similar dynamics persist, from Tanzania to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, highlighting the need to strengthen competitiveness, reduce trade barriers and better connect producers to regional and global markets.

Private sector engagement is increasingly contributing to a higher share of value retained by producers by supporting improvements in quality, traceability and compliance with international standards (e.g., EU Deforestation Regulation and the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code). This is reflected in partnerships with companies such as Melitta, a German coffee company sourcing globally, which is working with cooperatives in Tanzania’s Mara region to strengthen supply chains and align production more closely with market requirements. 

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The cooperation is supported by GIZ through develoPPP, a co-financing instrument that links private investment with development objectives, and is implemented under the SEAMPEC II project, which strengthens regional value chains and enables scaling across the East African Community. The initiative will directly support more than 300 smallholder farmers and strengthen at least three cooperatives, improving their ability to participate more effectively in higher-value trade.

The Melitta partnership is one of many – part of a broader shift in how development cooperation and private investment are coming together to strengthen economic partnerships between East Africa and Europe. At the Invest.EastAfrica! German–East African Business and Investment Forum, held in Frankfurt and Berlin from 27 to 29 January 2026, private sector partnerships valued at €5 million were launched and are now under implementation with companies such as Bayer and ofi. These partnerships focus on strengthening sustainable trade, value chains and inclusive growth—from digital solutions and artificial intelligence to coffee and cashew processing, entrepreneurship and connectivity.

Convened by GIZ together with the State of Hessen, the East African Community, Afrika-Verein and the German Chambers of Commerce (DIHK), the forum brought together 60 East African and 350 German business representatives. Companies engaged in structured B2B exchanges across key sectors, including digital economy and AI, agribusiness, health, critical raw materials, tourism and logistics. Building on this, ten additional projects involving German and East African partners, including Commerzbank, Lufthansa, Hormuud and Cassava Technologies, are currently being advanced, representing a projected investment volume of €500 million.

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A high-level delegation led by Manfred Pentz, Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Debureaucratization of Hessen, is scheduled to visit Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya in September 2026 to advance these initiatives and support the conclusion of agreements. This aligns with the direction set out in Germany’s reform plan “Shaping the future together globally”, which places economic cooperation and private sector partnerships at the centre of development policy.


Invest.EastAfrica! Private Sector Partnerships Drive €500 Million Investment Pipeline Between East Africa and Europe

African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have renewed calls for the implementation of legislative frameworks to accelerate cross-border mobility for professionals, as momentum builds to translate policy commitments into tangible outcomes.

This was the central message emerging from the Inter-REC Learning Exchange held in Nairobi from 30 March to 1 April 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from regulatory bodies, policy makers, private sector actors, and Development Partners. 

The exchange, convened by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and GIZ, was also attended by representatives from COMESA, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC, EAC, and ECCAS, as well as delegates representing key professional sectors such as engineering, architecture, accountancy, and legal.

Despite efforts to sign and implement Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) in several regions, participants highlighted persistent barriers faced by professionals seeking to operate across borders. These include duplicative licensing requirements, complex work permit processes, and the continued lack of recognition of qualifications, even in cases where formal agreements are already in place.

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Discussions during the session on Professional Mobility underscored the widening gap between policy frameworks and real-world implementation, with stakeholders noting that slow progress in operationalising MRAs continues to limit opportunities for professionals and constrain private sector growth across the continent.

A key highlight of the three-day exchange was a live demonstration of the EAC’s digital data exchange platform, developed under the Engineering MRA with support from GIZ’s DIGEAT project and LIFTED - a project jointly co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU).

The platform enables competent authorities across EAC Partner States to verify professional credentials in real time, including qualifications, registration status, and disciplinary records. This innovation is expected to significantly reduce reliance on lengthy manual verification processes that have historically hindered cross-border professional mobility.

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Within the continental landscape, the EAC was recognised as one of the most advanced RECs in advancing MRAs. The bloc has concluded agreements in accountancy, architecture, engineering, and veterinary services, while negotiations for an advocates MRA are at an advanced stage. An overarching framework for mutual recognition has also been approved – the annex VII. 

Outcomes from the learning exchange, including key recommendations and a proposed roadmap, are expected to inform the AfCFTA Secretariat’s draft Guidelines on Sectoral Recognition Agreements (SRAs). These guidelines represent a new continental approach aimed at expanding recognition mechanisms beyond traditionally regulated professions.

As Africa deepens regional integration under the AfCFTA, stakeholders emphasised that effective implementation of MRAs will be critical to unlocking the full potential of professional mobility, boosting trade in services, and driving economic transformation across the continent.


From Paper to Practice: African Regional Blocs Push for Action on Professional Mobility

The East African Community (EAC) is finalising its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy (2026–2031), championed by the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO). Far from being a technical policy exercise, the strategy focuses on how AI can be applied in practice. It is already influencing how food is produced, how patients are diagnosed, how businesses make decisions, and how governments deliver services. These applications, however, need to move beyond fragmentation and uneven use to be scaled for the benefit of the East African population. 

![ai_strategy_booklet_compressed.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/ai_strategy_booklet_compressed_c766a1b23e.jpg) **_AI-generated illustration; not an official EAC publication._**

The strategy responds by aligning national efforts into a shared regional approach. It supports more consistent application of AI across sectors through policy alignment, cross-border data flows, research collaboration, and investment in shared infrastructure and skills. This reduces duplication and enables more efficient use of resources, supporting a more integrated and competitive regional AI ecosystem. 

At its core, the strategy confronts the region’s most pressing structural challenge: the future of work. With up to half of jobs expected to require digital skills by 2030, aligning education systems with labour market needs is critical. It places emphasis on workforce transformation to equip young people to participate in the digital economy.

In this context, a young tea farmer in Kericho can access AI-supported localised weather forecasts, crop monitoring, and guidance on input usage, helping improve yields and manage climate risks. During disease outbreaks, data-driven tools assist clinicians in diagnostics and resource planning, supporting faster and more informed decisions. For a master’s student at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, digital tools enable more personalised learning pathways and expand access to training. For entrepreneurs, a more integrated regional market, supported by digital tools, creates opportunities to scale innovations, reach new customers, and operate across borders.

The validation of the strategy marks a transition from ambition to implementation. The next phase will focus on mobilising investment, strengthening institutions, and operationalising mechanisms to support implementation at scale.

Within this evolving landscape, the EAC AI Alliance, a regional platform guiding the operationalisation of the strategy, plays a central role by aligning stakeholders, mobilising partnerships, and supporting cross-sector implementation. It is implemented with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and EASTECO, providing academic, research, and technical expertise across the region.

In partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), support focuses on strengthening key elements of a sustainable AI ecosystem, including skills, access to data and infrastructure, and enabling policy frameworks, combining global and local expertise for co-creation.

This momentum aligns with the broader vision of the African Union, whose Continental AI Strategy calls for the use of AI to support socio-economic development while strengthening data and digital sovereignty. Global frameworks such as the EU AI Act are also shaping standards for trustworthy and accountable AI, creating a benchmark and an opportunity for the region to align while adapting to its own context.







EAC in the Global AI Discourse: Shaping a Regional AI Strategy

At the World Health Summit Regional Meeting (27–29 April 2026), held under the theme “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration and Interdependence”, the East African Community (EAC) showcased how regional cooperation is strengthening outbreak preparedness and response across Partner States.

Through a live simulation exercise on the clinical management of Ebola and Marburg patients, alongside high-level sessions on surveillance, laboratory systems and rapid response, the EAC demonstrated how coordinated approaches are enabling faster detection and more effective containment of infectious disease outbreaks, reinforcing the region’s preparedness for future health threats.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) training scenario illustrated the practical application of personal protective equipment and clinical protocols, reinforcing the value of hands-on training in strengthening frontline readiness, coordination, and rapid decision-making during outbreaks.

Drawing on lessons from the 2024 Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, as well as recent Mpox and hemorrhagic fever responses across EAC Partner States, the exercise showed how regional expertise and international collaboration enable swift, context-specific action, strengthening surge capacity and coordinated outbreak response.

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The event was officiated by Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, Deputy Secretary General of the EAC and Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).  

In an increasingly interconnected world, outbreaks can spread across borders within days – making regional coordination critical to global health security. Highlighting the EAC’s comparative advantage in regional outbreak preparedness across Partner States, Hon. DSG Ariik emphasised: “Regional cooperation allows Partner States to act as one system rather than individually. Through the early sharing of surveillance data, coordinated cross-border responses, and harmonised guidelines for detection, treatment and communication, this approach ensures faster detection, consistent messaging, and more efficient use of limited resources – especially for diseases that do not respect borders.”

Central to this approach, the EAC is strengthening sustainable partnerships to ensure that outbreaks are met with prepared response systems. Together with the BMZ, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), alongside technical partners including Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG) – a cooperation network of German Institutions to support partner countries in building capacity and sharing expertise for prevention, preparedness, and response of disease outbreaks, guided by the One Health Approach – these efforts are advancing surveillance and early warning systems, expanding laboratory and diagnostic capacity, and strengthening infection prevention and control as well as risk communication and community engagement, while building a workforce ready for rapid, coordinated response across the region.

Aligned with these efforts, the EAC has launched the Training in the East African Community for High Consequence Infectious Diseases (TEACH) initiative in Nairobi, with technical support from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin to strengthen intensive care capacity for patients diagnosed with high-risk infectious diseases such as Ebola and Marburg.

“Strong regional cooperation and reliable partnerships are essential for global health security,” said Dr. Tania Vorwerk, Representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). “Germany supports the East African Community in strengthening mechanisms such as the Rapidly Deployable Expert Pool, a regional network that enables the timely deployment of skilled professionals to respond to outbreaks across the region. We remain committed to supporting pandemic preparedness as a shared responsibility, helping to protect not only the region, but the world from future pandemics.”

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In public health, outbreaks are not won at the moment of crisis, but through integrated systems, coordination and preparedness established long before they occur.

EAC Demonstrates Preparedness for the Next Outbreak at the  World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026

Sending money across East Africa could soon become faster, more affordable and more reliable, unlocking new opportunities for businesses, traders and citizens across the region.

This ambition was at the centre of the EU–EAC Payment Systems Knowledge Exchange Mission, held in March 2026 in Germany and Luxembourg. The mission supports implementation of the EAC’s Payment System Masterplan under the EU–EAC Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services (DEEP) Programme.

Bringing together delegates from EAC Partner States central banks, alongside the East African Development Bank and the Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Network, the mission created a platform for direct exchange with leading European institutions. These included Deutsche Bank, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the Deutsche Bundesbank, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), among others.

During a series of technical sessions and peer-to-peer engagements, participants explored how Europe has developed secure, efficient and interoperable payment systems that support seamless cross-border transactions.

**Learning from Europe’s integrated payment systems**

A key focus of the mission was understanding how integrated systems can reduce transaction costs and improve efficiency. Participants examined frameworks such as the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which enables seamless euro transactions across multiple countries.

Supporting this system are advanced infrastructures such as the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET) and TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS), which facilitate real-time and instant payments across borders. These systems demonstrate how strong coordination between regulators, financial institutions and technology providers can deliver reliable and scalable payment solutions.

For East Africa, these insights are directly relevant. As the region works towards deeper financial integration and the long-term goal of a monetary union, interoperable payment systems will be essential to enable cross-border trade, enhance financial inclusion and support economic growth.

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**From knowledge exchange to practical action**

Beyond technical learning, the mission strengthened collaboration between public and private sector actors, highlighting the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development and innovation ecosystems.

“By strengthening interoperability and learning from global best practices, we are laying the foundation for faster, more secure, and more inclusive payment systems that directly benefit East African citizens and businesses,” said Daniel Murenzi, Principal Information Technology Officer at the EAC Secretariat.

The mission also highlighted the role of partnerships in driving reform.
“FSD Network is proud to have supported the study visit for EAC Central Bank participants. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to deepen delegates’ understanding of the European payment ecosystem, particularly in areas of innovation, governance, and oversight models,” said Michael Mbuthia, Programme Lead, EAC Masterplan Implementation (FSD Network).

**Delivery impact on citizens and businesses**

While highly technical in nature, the outcomes of the mission are ultimately about improving everyday experiences. Faster and more affordable cross-border payments can reduce the cost of doing business, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and make it easier for individuals to send and receive money across borders.

As a result of the mission, participating institutions are expected to translate lessons learned into concrete reforms and investments bringing East Africa closer to a fully integrated digital financial ecosystem.

July 21st, 2026