The East African Community (EAC) has officially tabled its budget estimates for the 2025/2026 Financial Year before the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), amounting to USD 109,338,151.
Presenting the budget speech to the Assembly, the Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul Moe, noted that the budget is being presented at a time when EAC economies have shown strong resilience.
“Despite global challenges including geopolitical tensions, climate change, and shifting international aid flows, the region posted an average economic growth rate of 5.5 percent in 2024, exceeding the global average of 3.3 percent and the Sub-Saharan Africa rate of 4 percent,” she stated.
She added, “The economic outlook for 2025 is even more promising, with projected growth at 5.8 percent driven by robust performance in agriculture, construction, and services, underpinned by sound policies and macroeconomic stability.”
Total EAC trade with the world grew by 14.7 percent to USD 124.9 billion in 2024 from USD 109.4 billion in 2023. “Exports increased by 24.72 percent to USD 56 billion, while imports rose by 6.83 percent to USD 68.9 billion. Intra-EAC trade also expanded by 9.35 percent to USD 15.2 billion,” she added.
The 2025/2026 budget is themed: “Inclusive Economic Transformation through Domestic Resource Mobilisation and Resilient Strategic Investment for Job Creation and Improved Livelihoods.”
The Community’s key priorities for FY 2025/2026 are centered on six strategic areas:
Enhancing peace, security, political processes, and emergency response mechanisms in the region.
Advancing the EAC Customs Union to boost regional trade and improve supply chains.
Strengthening implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol for sustainable development and socioeconomic welfare.
Expediting harmonisation of fiscal and monetary policies toward the East African Monetary Union.
Improving climate-resilient infrastructure and digital transformation to support regional integration.
Enhancing the institutional capacity of EAC Organs and Institutions and increasing stakeholder engagement.
The budget allocation by EAC Organs and Institutions is as follows:
EAC Secretariat – USD 55,209,392
East African Court of Justice – USD 5,056,413
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) – USD 20,495,264
Lake Victoria Basin Commission – USD 7,606,052
Inter-University Council for East Africa – USD 10,802,434
Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation – USD 2,436,924
East African Science and Technology Commission – USD 2,210,511
East African Kiswahili Commission – USD 1,641,445
East African Health Research Commission – USD 2,354,504
East African Competition Authority – USD 1,525,212
On trade facilitation, she highlighted the successful implementation of a digital Centralised Information Sharing Platform supporting electronic Certificates of Origin across Partner States.
“This streamlines cross-border trade, reduces errors, and strengthens regional integration.”
She also emphasized that Customs will focus on deepening the Customs Union through a comprehensive blueprint that includes harmonisation of legal frameworks, trade facilitation, and reduced trade costs.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, 16 out of 47 Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) were resolved, while the rest are at various stages of resolution. “The Community remains committed to eliminating all barriers to unlock the full potential of regional trade.”
She further stated that Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have waived work/residence permit fees for EAC citizens, marking a major step toward free movement of labor within the bloc.
Regarding the East African Monetary Union, she confirmed that the Community has adopted a comprehensive coordination framework for monetary and fiscal policies, along with a Cross-Border Payment System Master Plan aimed at modernising payment systems in the region.
“The EAC Payment and Settlement System Integration Project (EAC-PSSIP) continues to support central banks in establishing secure and efficient systems to ensure smooth regional transactions,” she said.
On peace and security, she cited the Peace Caravan initiative launched in October 2024 at the tri-border area of Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan to promote cross-border cooperation and peaceful coexistence among affected communities.
For EALA, she highlighted several achievements including granting leave to introduce three Private Members’ Bills:
The East African Community Prevention and Control of Transboundary Animal and Zoonotic Disease Bill, 2024
The East African Community Medical Products Bill, 2024
The East African Community Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2025
She added, “During its rotational sitting in Uganda, the Assembly was addressed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who urged political integration as a means to strengthen the bloc, emphasizing patriotism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.”
On the East African Court of Justice, she said that 79 new cases were filed in 2024/2025, but the case backlog rose to 328 from 265 in 2022/2023.
“The Court’s priorities for 2025/2026 include reducing the backlog, enhancing the capacity of judges and staff, and strengthening collaboration with regional and international courts.”
Summary:
Total budget: USD 109.3 million
Key focus: Trade, peace, integration, digital systems, Monetary Union
EAC world trade grew 14.7% in 2024
Work permit fees waived by 4 Partner States
Progress in resolving NTBs and passing key legislation
Payment systems integration advancing under EAC-PSSIP
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