In a landmark move towards regional integration and professional mobility, the Engineering Council of South Sudan officially joined the East African Community's (EAC) Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for engineers on October 4, 2024.
This accession marks a crucial step in expanding the pool of engineering expertise across the region, facilitating the free movement of professionals, and enhancing infrastructure development across member states.
Eng. Bernard Kavishe, Chairperson of the EAC MRA Coordination Committee and Registrar of the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) of Tanzania, described the day as a "milestone for East African integration."
He explained that the MRA ensures mutual recognition of engineering qualifications, easing the movement of professionals across borders. "South Sudan has crossed a significant line towards integration," Eng. Kavishe remarked.
He added that the agreement harmonizes engineering standards across the region, allowing professionals to work seamlessly across member states.
Kavishe encouraged other countries, such as Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to join the MRA soon.
"We have vast experience in regulating the engineering profession, and we are ready to support our new partners in reaching the same level," he said, stressing the importance of collaboration and mutual learning.
The accession of South Sudan to the MRA represents a major achievement for the EAC, enhancing the mobility of engineering professionals and strengthening the region’s capacity to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects.
"We warmly welcome South Sudan into the East African engineering community and look forward to a future of shared growth and integration," Eng. Kavishe concluded.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Dorcas Omukhulu, Principal Education Officer at the EAC Secretariat, emphasized the significance of the MRA in fostering skill transfer and professional collaboration within the EAC.
"The signing of the MRA is intended to facilitate the free movement of workers, worker services, and self-employed professionals. It ensures that academic and professional qualifications, as well as certifications granted in one partner state, are recognized across the region," she stated.
Dr. Omukhulu also acknowledged the continuous support from GIZ, particularly through the "Digit Project," in providing technical and financial assistance to operationalize the MRA.
Dr. Omukhulu reminded attendees that the MRA for engineers was first signed in 2012 and stressed the importance of ensuring that EAC citizens do not lose their prior experience when moving from one partner state to another.
"With the EAC now comprising eight countries, it is critical that we expand our infrastructure and harmonize professional standards to benefit the region's 300 million citizens," she added.
Björn Richter, Cluster Coordinator for the GIZ-EAC Project, lauded the event as a historic moment for East African integration.
"We have seen massive inter-regional growth in trade and services, and infrastructure plays a key role in this. Engineering capacity must be strengthened across the region to support continued development," he said.
Richter noted that the German Development Corporation has been supporting regional economic integration for over 25 years, and emphasized the importance of collaboration to sustain the momentum achieved by the MRA.
Stella, a key coordinator from GIZ, highlighted the long-term support secured through European Union funding, aimed at complementing the efforts of the EAC. "We are proud to have supported this process up to this point and are committed to operationalizing the legal frameworks necessary for the continued mobility of skilled professionals in the region," she said, adding that this was only the beginning of ongoing efforts to support professional integration.
The MRA is seen as a pivotal step in boosting regional cooperation and economic development, as the EAC continues to prioritize the harmonization of professional standards and the free movement of skilled labor across its member states.
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