EAC Launches Process to Formulate 7th Development Strategy

  

“By engaging all stakeholders, we will create a roadmap that reflects our collective aspirations and addresses the challenges we face,” said Veronica Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), during the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee overseeing the formulation of the 7th EAC Development Strategy.

Held from 13th to 14th May 2025 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, the meeting marked the official beginning of the process to develop a comprehensive five-year strategy covering the period 2026/27 to 2030/31. This new strategy will guide regional integration and development efforts across the EAC Partner States.

Nduva described the upcoming strategy as “a critical step towards the realisation of the EAC’s vision of a prosperous and integrated East Africa,” and stressed the need for broad participation. “The new development strategy will pave the way for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Community. The EAC encourages all stakeholders to actively participate in the process and contribute to shaping the future of the region,” she added.

The EAC uses five-year development strategies to systematically implement its Vision 2050. These strategies translate the long-term aspirations of the Community into practical and measurable actions, supported by detailed implementation plans.

With the 6th Development Strategy (2021/22–2025/26) set to conclude in June 2026, the formulation of a successor strategy is both necessary and timely. The 7th Strategy will build on the successes and lessons of its predecessor, while aligning with continental and global frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed and validated the Draft Inception Report, which outlines the analytical framework, methodology, roadmap, and stakeholder engagement plan. The Committee, composed of technical experts from Partner States and representatives from EAC Organs and Institutions, plays a key role in ensuring that the process is consultative, data-driven, and reflective of regional priorities.

The development of the new strategy will be inclusive, engaging national governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society organisations. This participatory approach is intended to ensure the strategy captures the needs and ambitions of all East Africans.

As the EAC charts its path for the next five years, the Community remains committed to building a competitive, integrated, and resilient regional economy that delivers tangible benefits to its citizens.