16 EAC Women in Trade Champions from eight EAC Partners States have been recognised for their outstanding leadership and contribution to Intra-EAC trade in various sectors during the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair 2025, the largest MSMEs Trade Fair in the region.

The women champions had demonstrated exemplary skills, knowledge, and resilience in positioning their enterprises as drivers for regional economic integration and development, and were awarded by the chief guest, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the EAC Summit of Heads of State, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

![new photo 3.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/new_photo_3_8127f82ea8.jpg)

Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto reaffirmed the commitment of EAC Heads of State to resolve persistent non-tariff barriers that continue to constrain cross-border trade. He noted that the surge in regional trade and investment reflects a maturing internal market, one increasingly defined by innovation, competitiveness, and the shared determination of East Africans to trade more with each other and prosper together.

President Ruto further noted that the exhibition provides a critical moment to confront issues hampering trade ahead of the upcoming EAC Summit set for early December 2025. “The conversations shaping this Trade Fair are ambitious and action-oriented focusing on digital transformation, affordable finance, expanded markets, and green enterprise,” he said.

![photo new 2.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/photo_new_2_4447d0264c.jpg)

The event themed “25 Years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competetive MSMEs towards Sustainable Development” which brought together more than 3,000 exhibitors from across the eight EAC Partner States, is organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization (CMSEO - EA), Partner States and development agencies including GIZ runs between 7 - 16 November 2025.

![New photo 4.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/New_photo_4_eeec8b8a04.jpg)

The EAC Women in Trade Champions’ Initiative is a collaboration between the EAC Secretariat, East African Business Council, the East African Women in Business Platform and supported by GIZ - LIFTED, a project Co-financed by the European Union (EU) that aims to enhance women’s participation in regional economic integration. Anchored in the EAC Treaty and strategic frameworks, the initiative celebrates women who are actively shaping economic integration with the view to inspire, document, and amplify their impact.

The initiative emphasises the critical role of women in trade and highlights the importance of women's economic empowerment and leadership in driving regional economic growth and development in line with the integration agenda across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and services. 

The EAC MSMEs Trade Fair, also known as Jua Kali Fair, contribute towards the realisation of the region’s development goals and aspirations by lending support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, who are at the heart of the economies in the region. Additionally, it draws attention to the need for supportive policies and programs that address barriers that traders face such as access to markets, capacity development and cross-border trade among others. 



EAC Women in Trade Champions Awarded at the 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair 2025 (GIZ)

East Africans are trading more with each other and benefiting from an increasingly connected marketplace, with intra-EAC trade growing by 27%, from USD 14.2 billion to USD 18 billion between June 2024 and June 2025.

Within the same period, total EAC trade with the rest of the world increased by 22%, rising from USD 115.4 billion to USD 140.8 billion. This was shared during the opening of the 25th EAC Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair held in Nairobi, Kenya, where businesses from across the region are showcasing innovation, enterprise and cross-border collaboration.

The Trade Fair was officially opened by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chair of the EAC Summit of Heads of State, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.

![2nd photo.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/2nd_photo_e234a073b9.jpg)

Speaking during the opening ceremony, President Ruto reaffirmed the commitment of EAC Heads of State to resolve persistent non-tariff barriers that continue to constrain cross-border trade. He noted that the surge in regional trade and investment reflects a maturing internal market, one increasingly defined by innovation, competitiveness, and the shared determination of East Africans to trade more with each other and prosper together.

President Ruto further noted that the exhibition provides a critical moment to confront issues hampering trade ahead of the upcoming EAC Summit set for early December 2025. “The conversations shaping this Trade Fair are ambitious and action-oriented focusing on digital transformation, affordable finance, expanded markets, and green enterprise,” he said.

Held under the theme “25 Years of EAC Integration: Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs towards Sustainable Development,” the 2025 Trade Fair brings together over 3,000 exhibitors from all eight Partner States.

The Fair runs from 7th –16th November 2025 and is organised by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organisation (CMSEO–EA) and Partner States. It serves as a dynamic marketplace for showcasing products, expanding market access and building regional business networks.

Through exhibitions, workshops, and business-to-business engagements, participants gain new skills, explore emerging technologies, and strengthen their competitiveness within and beyond the region.

![3rd photo 3.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/3rd_photo_3_b932aeeff4.jpg)

On his part, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, emphasised the need to strengthen access to finance to ensure that MSMEs can obtain affordable and inclusive financial services tailored to their realities. He also called for the removal of barriers to trade and stronger support for cross-border linkages to expand access to regional and continental markets.

“We must prioritise enabling MSMEs to adopt technology, embrace e-commerce, and embed sustainability in their business models,” he said. “Fostering joint programmes and harmonised policies that deepen integration and enhance resilience will be key to ensuring that MSMEs continue driving our region’s economic transformation.”

On her part, the EAC Deputy Secretary General for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, urged Partner States to strengthen local production, deepen regional value chains and enhance MSME access to finance, technology, and markets.

She emphasised that transforming the region’s export base from raw commodities to high-value manufactured goods is essential for sustainable industrialisation. “Manufactured exports currently account for less than 30% of total exports, while 64% of imports are manufactured goods largely from Asia. By deepening regional value chains and supporting MSMEs, we can reverse this trend and grow our own industrial capacity,” she noted.

![photo 5.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/photo_5_5e08329f07.jpg)

The EAC has continued to implement strategic interventions to support MSME development, and expanding training networks, particularly for women and youth, to enhance participation in cross-border trade.

The event also recognised 16 EAC Women in Trade Champions who have shown outstanding leadership and contribution to intra-EAC trade, and 18 winners of the Regional Quality Awards who have demonstrated exceptional innovation and product excellence in advancing competitiveness across the region.

The EAC Women in Trade Champions Initiative is a collaboration between the EAC Secretariat, the East African Business Council (EABC), and the East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP), supported by GIZ–LIFTED, a project co-financed by the European Union (EU) that aims to enhance women’s participation in regional economic integration.


EAC Trade on the Rise as Leaders Commit to Addressing Barriers at the 25th MSMES Trade Fair (GIZ)

From 26 October to 2 November 2025, a delegation of 24 representatives from East African e-commerce and private sector associations embarked on a study tour to Europe to foster strategic partnerships with European counterparts. Taking place in Brussels and Berlin, the visit aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and strengthen business linkages between East Africa and the EU.

This mission took place in the framework of the EU–EAC Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payment and Public E-Services Programme (DEEP) – co-funded by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia – and the Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) project, funded by the EU Delegation to Uganda. It is jointly organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, including through its Pan-African E-Commerce Initiative, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and in close collaboration with the East African Business Council (EABC).

The engagements focused on a broad range of themes, including the structure and governance of national and regional private sector associations, coordination mechanisms among them, and practical strategies for advocacy and strategic positioning.  These discussions enabled stakeholders to identify best practices that can strengthen e-commerce associations within the East African Community (EAC). Further, they explored approaches to building consumer trust in e-commerce – such as trust seal mechanisms and consumer protection measures – and examined the EU’s policy and regulatory frameworks governing cross-border e-commerce. Most importantly, the mission aimed at laying the foundation for long-term strategic partnerships and business linkages between the private sectors of the EU and the EAC, fostering increased investment and trade.

The delegation met with leading organisations including e-commerce Europe, the Europe Business Network, the Belgian Association for E-Commerce (Becom), the German E-commerce Association (BEHV), the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein), the German IT association (Bitkom), Trade Promotion Europe, TrustedShops (a trust mark for e-commerce) and Logistics Natives (a global network of logistics companies). 

They also engaged with representatives from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) and Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP), the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub and BMZ. Networking events in both Brussels and Berlin also provided opportunities for direct interaction with selected European private-sector representatives and business associations.

**About the EU-EAC DEEP Project**

EU-EAC DEEP is a four-year programme running from July 2025 to June 2029, jointly co-financed by the EU, BMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. The programme is implemented by GIZ, Expertise France (EF) and the Estonian Centre for International Development (EstDev).

The programme contributes to the Team Europe Initiatives “Supporting African economic integration towards the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)” and “Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” to provide comprehensive support for trade and digitalisation towards a sustainable setup of an African single digital market with a robust cybersecurity environment. 

A key area of the programme is designed to enable, expand, enhance, and foster inclusive cross-border digital trade in East Africa and with Europe. This includes supporting the nascent e-Commerce ecosystem in East Africa, which holds tremendous potential to improve access to high-quality consumer goods, and to open new markets to East African and European private sectors.



East Africa and Europe Harness Partnerships to Drive E-commerce and Digital Trade (GIZ)

On 23 October 2025, Team Europe and its African partners launched a new regional initiative to strengthen health systems and expand access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across East and Southern Africa. 

The programme Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity in East and Southern Africa (RAISE SRHR) aims to improve access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and commodities, while enhancing regional collaboration and accountability. Funded by the EU, Germany and Sweden, with a total investment of approximately EUR 19 million, It is implemented in close partnership with the EAC, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), GIZ and UN partners — including UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO — among other key stakeholders.

RAISE SRHR builds on long-standing investments by the EU and its Member States under the broader Africa–EU Health Partnership. 

The programme focuses on:

- Strengthening data and accountability systems for SRHR;
- Supporting equitable access and an increase of availability to quality-assured sexual and reproductive health commodities through regional pooled procurement and local manufacturing. 

Together, these efforts are strengthening resilience and regional cooperation to improve health and wellbeing for people across East and Southern Africa.  

Petra Pereyra, the EU Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, noted: “The programme we launch today reflects what Team Europe stands for: partnership, solidarity, and shared ambitions. Together with EU Member States, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community, we are investing in health systems that deliver by strengthening data and accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ensuring access to essential health commodities. This is Team Europe in action, collaborating with our African partners — united for equality and human rights for all.”

Eric Nzeyimana, Principal Health Officer at EAC, emphasised that the RAISE SRHR Initiative represents a significant milestone in our collective journey to strengthen and sustain resilient health systems across the East African region and beyond. "It builds on our ongoing efforts to enhance the use of health data, improve access to quality SRHR commodities, and address persistent inequalities within our health systems. I’m truly pleased to see this regional flagship initiative – co-created through strong collaboration among our partners – come to fruition and begin delivering tangible impact.” he said. 

Lamboly Kumboneki, Senior Programme Officer at SADC said: This initiative takes place at a crucial moment for our region, the sustainability of health systems in our Member States is at a crossroads, shaken by the new architecture of Official Development Assistance. This programme will support our ambition as a region to build resilient and sustainable health system by building local and regional capacity and facilitate access to quality and affordable medicines. 

Simone Goertz, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy Gaborone, said: “The pharmaceutical sector is not just an industry; it is a cornerstone of health security and economic resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of regional production, regional collaboration, increased availability and equitable access to essential medicines. The programme fits well with Germany’s long-standing global support of gender equality and EAC’s and SADC’s regional value chain development, regulatory harmonisation, and access to finance for pharmaceutical companies. The programme launched today is a testament to the power of partnership among Europeans and with Africa.”

Elisabeth Hårleman, Head of Development Cooperation, Sweden’s Regional SRHR Team stated: “This programme embodies Sweden’s integrated foreign policy and development cooperation where we team up, within the EU, to ensure a coordinated and efficient engagement with our partners on the African continent. Health and SRHR is a prioritised area for the Swedish Government’s global assistance – as it sets conditions and circumstances for social, gender and economic inclusion.”

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Team Europe and its African Partners Launch Joint Programme to Strengthen Health Systems in East and Southern Africa (GIZ)

The 20th edition of the Cashew Master Training Program (MTP) marked a significant step forward in professionalising the cashew industry across East Africa. For the first time, the training was hosted within the EAC region, with sessions held in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya.

The programme successfully created a new cohort of regional experts and master trainers. Fifty-four participants from Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda were equipped with advanced knowledge and practical skills in cashew production, processing, and market development. With this cohort, the region has gained a new network of experts who are ready to transform local value addition and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the cashew value chain.

**A Strategic Focus on East Africa’s Cashew Potential**

East Africa’s growing prominence in the cashew sector made the region a natural host for the MTP, implemented by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) and its partners. Tanzania, one of Africa’s top cashew producers, contributes around 20–25% of its agricultural export earnings through cashews but processes less than 10% of its raw nuts locally. This results in significant loss of value. Meanwhile, Kenya is revitalising a once-vibrant industry that faced decades of decline, with renewed government interest and investment as a potential export earner. The MTP addresses these gaps by training experts to improve productivity, support farmers, and expand local processing capacity.

In Tanzania, the MTP trains experts to improve farm productivity and strengthen processing capacity, positioning the country as a leader in full value-chain development, not just raw production. Kenyan participants were equipped with tools to support farmers, establish stronger cooperatives and rebuild local processing industries.

![comcashew.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/comcashew_458f572caa.jpg)

**Collaboration Across Regions and Institutions**

The programme spearheaded by ACA and the Market-Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth in the ECOWAS region (MOVE) project, aimed at fostering valuable South–South exchange of expertise from West Africa. It is supported by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the EAC Secretariat, and GIZ through the BMZ-funded project Support to East African Community Integration Process (SEAMPEC II).

National institutions such as the Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT), the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), and the Institute of Nuts of Mozambique (INCAJU) provided technical support and field expertise throughout the training.

**Building Knowledge for Long-Term Impact**

The MTP curriculum combined theoretical learning and hands-on practice across the entire cashew value chain, from the development of improved planting materials and Good Agricultural Practices to post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing. Cross-cutting topics such as gender inclusion, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience were also integrated.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, representatives from GIZ, ACA, and the EAC Secretariat emphasised the need for a unified regional approach that links training, research, and policy dialogue to build a competitive, climate-resilient, and inclusive cashew industry.

Launched in 2013 in Burkina Faso, the Cashew MTP has become a cornerstone for sector transformation across Africa, creating a network of over 500 certified master trainers. Its expansion to East Africa marks a new phase of collaboration between the EAC and its partners, ensuring that the region’s cashew sector continues to grow as a driver of jobs, value addition, and sustainable trade.

![com cashew 7.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/com_cashew_7_649eca60e2.jpg)

Forging East Africa’s Cashew Experts: Strengthening Regional Value Chains for Industrial Growth (GIZ)

The East African Business and Investment Summit & Expo 2025 schedule for 16 to 17 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya will bring together over 600 business leaders, investors, SMEs and, high level Government representatives from across the region and beyond. 

Under the theme **“Promoting Private Sector-Driven Regional Integration for Increased Intra- and Extra-EAC Trade and Investment”** the Summit will focus on unlocking SME business opportunities in the region and strengthening trade ties between the EAC and Europe. The Summit will showcase success stories and public-private dialogue to galvanise innovation and investment across the region in a range of sectors including services, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, finance, creative economy, manufacturing, digital economy and health.

This year’s Summit, supported through LIFTED — a project co-financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), and implemented by GIZ- will feature High-Level CEOs Dialogue on _**driving industrialization in East Africa” and “unlocking the potential of trade in services: Addressing restrictions and advancing liberalisation in the East African Community.”**_ The session will discuss practical pathways to remove barriers and accelerate the liberalisation of trade in services across East Africa, a crucial step toward creating a more dynamic, competitive, and integrated regional economy.

Additional sessions include **_Digital trade and e-Commerce, Artificial Intelligence, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)_** as a mechanism to facilitate cross border movement of professionals in the region. Experts will examine how emerging digital technologies can unlock opportunities for skilled professionals, enhance regional competitiveness, and advance the realisation of the EAC Common Market.

![Photo 7.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Photo_7_0448ff07b0.jpg)

“During the Summit, over 25 export-ready service companies will exhibit and engage in B2B sessions with their EU counterparts to strengthen business linkages. This initiative is in partnership with the [German-African Business Association](https://www.afrikaverein.de/en/?no_cache=1) (Afrika-Verein) and the [European Business Council for Africa](https://www.ebcam.eu/) (EBCA).” said Mr. Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director, EABC.

“We are proud accelerating private sector engagement on behalf of Germany and European Union to further regional trade, safeguard global public goods and facilitate pandemic preparedness. Partnering with EABC as our trusted partner, we are committed to strengthen our co-operation with private sector in policy dialogues, removal of barriers, and promoting business to business linkages between the EAC and Europe.” said Mr. Bjoern Richter, Cluster Coordinator GIZ-EAC.

This year’s Summit comes at a pivotal time, coinciding with major continental and global developments such as the ongoing implementation of the AfCFTA, the commencement of the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement, and evolving global dynamics including climate change and de-globalisation. The event will explore these trends while positioning the EAC as Africa’s premier trade and investment hub and leveraging the digital economy as a driver of sustainable growth and inclusion.

The High-Level CEOs Dialogues with Ministers on Trade in Services and Manufacturing will foster direct engagement on pressing regional issues. A communiqué outlining recommendations and resolutions from the Summit discussions will be presented by EABC to the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers for consideration in policy decision-making.


Promoting Private Sector-Driven Regional Integration for Increased EAC Trade and Investment (GIZ)

From 30 September to 2 October 2025, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), the European Union, Estonian Development Cooperation (ESTDEV) and GIZ – on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), hosted the Third Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Leaders Forum in Entebbe, Uganda.

The forum convened senior government officials from all eight Partner States, including representatives from e-Government Authorities, Payment Directorates of National Central Banks, National Digital ID Agencies, Ministries of ICT/Digital Economy, and Ministries of EAC Affairs, with the shared goal of advancing inclusive, interoperable, and sustainable DPI as the backbone of the region’s digital transformation.

Building on the achievements of the first and second DPI Leaders Forums, the three-day event validated the EAC Regional DPI Assessment Report and enriched participants’ knowledge and capacity to enhance DPI systems in their daily work. The forum first consolidated the participants' understanding of the core building blocks of DPI, highlighting GovStack and interoperability as essential foundations for delivering seamless, citizen-centric digital services.

From this foundation, discussions naturally progressed to digital public goods, which allow Partner States to scale proven solutions without reinventing the wheel - saving time, reducing costs, and promoting inclusivity through shared knowledge and technology. With this technical grounding, attention turned to the financing challenge, equipping experts to design bankable projects capable of attracting investment.

To support these efforts, the new EAC DPI Project Portal was launched, providing a platform for publishing Expressions of Interest for regional DPI initiatives. In addition, the EU-EAC DEEP (Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-payments, and Public E-Services) Programme, officially launched on 1 July 2025, was presented to Partner States, including its E-Government component and cross-border DPI use cases, which were tabled for review. These coordinated steps underscore the region’s commitment to moving in unison toward a connected and digitally empowered East Africa.

The EAC’s advancement in digital transformation is increasingly recognised on the global stage. In September 2025, the Community was invited to present at the United Nations General Assembly, and under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the EAC’s submission on the Regional Instant Payments Switch was highlighted as a global best practice. These milestones underscore the region’s growing influence and credibility in shaping the digital future, within Africa and globally.

The EAC Secretariat calls on Partner States, stakeholders, and development partners to harness this momentum, turn insights into concrete action, and champion DPI initiatives that are inclusive, interoperable, and transformative. The DPI Leaders Forum goes beyond validating reports or sharing best practices, it is about charting the roadmap for East Africa’s digital future and ensuring that every citizen can benefit from a connected, secure, and prosperous digital economy.

![Image - 2025-10-09T185209.599.jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/Image_2025_10_09_T185209_599_24407f406a.jpg)


Accelerating East Africa's Digital Economy: Highlights from the Third Digital Public Infrastructure Leaders Forum (GIZ)

The East African Citizen Summit 2025, held from 28 September to 01 October 2025, brought together over 200 participants from all eight EAC Partner States, including representatives from civil society, government, development partners, academia, and the private sector. Under the theme, “Innovating for Regional Integration: Advancing Governance, Economic Growth, and Social Inclusion in the Digital Age,” the Summit focused on strengthening citizen participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration to advance regional economic integration. Discussions highlighted how technology and innovation can drive good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development across key areas such as trade and investment, climate change and agriculture, digital transformation, peace and security, gender equality, youth participation and health advocacy.

For over 25 years, Germany has partnered with the East African Community (EAC) to advance the regional integration agenda across key sectors such as trade, health, and peace and security. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), GIZ collaborates with the East African Civil Society Organisation Forum (EACSOF) to promote citizen engagement in regional policy processes. This partnership focuses on fostering inclusive platforms for dialogue, amplifying the voices of women and youth, and strengthening the capacity of CSOs to contribute effectively to the implementation of the EAC Common Market.

> “The cooperation between Germany and the East African Community is driven by complementarities that translate into shared prosperity and mutual economic growth.”  
> Mr Alexander Fierley, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Economic Affairs, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kenya.

At this year’s Summit, GIZ projects across various sectors of cooperation hosted panel discussions that underscored the value of multi-stakeholder dialogue in driving practical solutions and regional collaboration:

**Health: Inclusive Access to Essential Medicines and SRHR Commodities**

Despite progress, persistent gaps remain in the availability, affordability, and quality of essential medicines and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) commodities, gaps that disproportionately affect women, girls, and persons with disabilities. To address this, the “RAISE SRHR - Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity” project, co-funded by BMZ and the EU, hosted a session titled “Dose of Inclusion: Ensuring Equitable Access and Availability to SRH and Essential Health Commodities for Women, Girls and People Living with Disabilities”.

The session convened CSOs, youth networks, donors, organisations of persons with disabilities, procurement officials, and regional actors to: 

- Examine barriers to equal access, such as affordability, policy gaps, and supply chain bottlenecks.
- Co-create practical recommendations to ensure inclusive procurement and distribution processes.
- Develop an action plan to inform regional pooled procurement under the EAC and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

The resulting action plan identifies solutions to guide inclusive procurement and distribution, with a strong focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable groups and ensuring equitable health access for all.

>“Our goal is simple but powerful: to increase the availability of essential, underused, and hard-to-access quality-assured SRH commodities.” Matthew Brooke, Team Lead for Macroeconomics, Governance and Digital at the EU Delegation to Kenya.

Re-emphasising the importance of this new project for the EAC, Dr Julius Otim, Senior Health Officer for Medicines and Food Safety, EAC Secretariat, stressed that: "improving availability of SRH commodities is a key contributor to improving health outcomes, ensuring socioeconomic development and saving the lives of women and girls in our region."

**Peace & Security: Supporting Stability, Resilience and Cross-Border Cooperation**

On the second day of the EACSOF Summit, the GIZ-African Union Border Programme (AUBP) hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue on “The Role of Civil Society in Cross-Border Cooperation in the EAC.” The session emphasised the central role of civil society in fostering inclusive peace and security through stakeholder bridge-building, community empowerment and advocacy for participatory, locally driven solutions. It also highlighted the challenges encountered while showcasing the positive impact of collaboration.

Since 2008, GIZ, on behalf of the German Foreign Ministry, has supported inclusive peace and stability, border governance, and cross-border cooperation across the continent and the EAC. CSOs are essential partners in building trust among communities, preventing border conflicts, and enhancing peaceful coexistence. They act as intermediaries between citizens and authorities, ensuring that community voices inform policy.

The AU Convention on Cross-border Cooperation defines this cooperation as actions that strengthen good neighbourly relations among border actors. It promotes shared resource management and social cohesion, creating opportunities for joint development in East Africa, as seen in initiatives such as one-stop border posts and peace committees.

**Regional Economic Integration: Strengthening the Voice of Civil Society**

Under the theme “Harnessing Citizens’ Potential for Regional Integration,” GIZ, through the “Leveraging Integration Frameworks for Trade in Services and CSOs in the EAC” (LIFTED) project, co-funded by BMZ and the EU, convened a dialogue between civil society, the EAC Secretariat, and Partner State governments on strengthening CSO participation in regional decision-making. Delegates highlighted key challenges undermining integration, notably non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that increase trade costs and limit small business participation, as well as the persistent digital divide caused by weak infrastructure and unequal access, particularly in rural areas.

A major outcome of the session was the validation of three regional accountability tools supported by LIFTED: the EAC Gender and Youth Compliance Barometer, the CSO Engagement Toolkit, and the Guiding Principles for CSO Engagement, which marks an important step toward embedding civil society in EAC policy and governance processes. 

The call from civil society is clear: 
“Integration in East Africa will only succeed when it is owned and driven by its people. The pain of one citizen is the pain of all, and the progress of one Partner State is the progress of the entire Community.” said Lilian Alex, the Executive Director of EACSOF.

**Regional Economic Integration: Advancing the Mobility of Professionals in the EAC**

The free movement of skilled professionals is crucial for unlocking East Africa’s economic growth and deepening regional integration. Through the Digitalisation for East African Trade and Integration (DIGEAT) project, GIZ supports the EAC and its Partner States in digitising and harmonising national professional registries, particularly for engineers, to foster regional collaboration and deliver inclusive infrastructure solutions that meet the diverse needs of the community.

At the Summit, GIZ hosted a “gender gap in engineering” session, empowering a new generation of female engineers. The session highlighted that infrastructure development is not gender-neutral: from transportation networks to water and sanitation systems, the design and implementation of projects affect women’s and men’s daily lives differently. Including more women in engineering ensures that infrastructure is designed to serve all communities effectively and inclusively. Showcasing female engineers who are pioneering innovations – from recycling plastic waste into building materials to creating solar-powered traffic robots – the session highlighted their crucial role in shaping sustainable, context-specific solutions and inspiring young women across the region to pursue careers in engineering.

The EAC–EACSOF–GIZ partnership demonstrates a strategic collaboration bridging people and policy, ensuring that regional integration and development efforts are inclusive and people-centred. As part of Team Europe, Germany and the EAC remain closely connected across multiple sectors of cooperation, working together to co-create sustainable impacts across both regions. 
Find more information on the EAC-German Cooperation [here](https://www.eacgermany.org/). 

Photo ©: EACSOF

Creating Citizen-Led Impact: Insights from the 2025 East African Citizen Summit (GIZ)

On September 11, 2025, Germany proudly inaugurated two new buildings at the Aga Khan University Campus in Kampala, Uganda. These facilities will serve as key educational centers for aspiring journalists at the Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) and as a training hub for nurses and midwives at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM).

This initiative, supported by a €16.8 million grant investment facilitated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented through KfW Development Bank, represents a significant step towards enhancing educational and employment opportunities in the East African Community (EAC).

The opening of these facilities marks a transformative moment for the EAC countries, expanding access to quality education and laying a strong foundation for a diverse media landscape, qualitative journalism and a resilient healthcare system. With the addition of these buildings, we now have another location in the region that provides housing for students, allowing more students from other EAC Partner States to benefit from the high-quality education offered. This development not only enhances educational opportunities for individuals but also contributes to the overall growth and prosperity of the entire region, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among diverse communities. 

We remain committed to supporting initiatives that empower the next generation and drive sustainable development in East Africa.

 ![IMG_0319 (1).jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/IMG_0319_1_fb9fca13c3.jpg)![IMG_0315 (1).jpg](https://strapi.eacgermany.org/uploads/IMG_0315_1_c55c1497b8.jpg)


Strengthening East Africa's Future: Inauguration of New Buildings at Aga Khan University (KFW)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from concept to classroom, reshaping how learners acquire knowledge and how educators deliver it. In Europe, the EU has anchored AI in its Digital Decade Vision, allocating over €1.3 billion to AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills. The recently enacted EU AI Act requires AI literacy in education, ensuring that institutions adopt ethical and transparent practices while remaining globally competitive. These measures position AI competence as a core skill, much like digital literacy was a decade ago.

In East Africa, universities are taking steps to align with global standards and use AI responsibly. As the digital economy increasingly depends on AI-driven innovation, EAC institutions are equipping graduates to drive change in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and regional economic integration. This approach strengthens the region’s higher education systems and ensures graduates can contribute to both regional development and the international labour market.

This is why the 16th Annual Conference of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), held in July 2025, brought together ministers, university leaders, and development partners to shape a common approach to the region’s readiness for emerging technologies. Under the theme “Reflections on Global Education Trends and their Implications on the EAC Higher Education Landscape”, the conference adopted resolutions to accelerate AI integration and digital transformation, with commitments to policy reform, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.

Cementing strategic partnerships, the panel session on “Advancing AI Readiness in East African Higher Education” served as a launchpad for the BMZ-commissioned EAC AI Alliance project. The session recognised global trends in AI education and laid the foundations for a coordinated regional response. Key commitments included:

- UNESCO aligning its Campus Africa initiatives with the Alliance, providing policy support, capacity building, and regional engagement through platforms like the Umoja Hackathon.
- IBM co-designing micro-credentials and mentoring universities on responsible AI adoption via its Skills Build platform.
- Strathmore University contributing research on AI applications for healthcare and agriculture while fostering peer learning across institutions.
- NM-AIST offering its Centre of Excellence in ICT and Cybersecurity as a regional hub for joint training and programmes.

The EAC AI Alliance outlined a transformative strategy for higher education by establishing a regional platform for AI collaboration through the Regional Centre of Excellence on AI, aiming to:

- Facilitate pooled investments and harmonise AI curricula and learning paths across EAC universities.
- Embed ethical and inclusive AI adoption, leveraging UNESCO’s global training frameworks.
- Pilot transdisciplinary programmes and expand university–industry partnerships to match skills with market needs.
- Propose a unified framework for micro-credentials to support lifelong learning and workforce development.

Looking ahead, GIZ, working with IUCEA and partners, will focus on three pillars: advancing cross-border AI research to address regional challenges, integrating inclusive, practice-based AI curricula to equip learners with industry-relevant skills, and supporting harmonised, gender-responsive policies for responsible AI adoption.

With varying national strategies and infrastructure levels, harmonising AI standards is critical for regional progress. The conference encouraged universities to join the EAC AI Alliance network to strengthen AI expertise, foster industry partnerships, and enhance teaching quality. It also provided a platform for education ministries, regulatory bodies, and development partners to align efforts, ensuring AI adoption across the region is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.

November 13th, 2025