Trade experts, private sector leaders, and government officials in the East African Community (EAC) have called on member states to urgently ratify changes to the Customs Union rules to speed up the removal of trade barriers slowing economic growth in the region.
Monday, August 11, 2025, at the East African Business Council (EABC) CEO–EAC Secretariat Consultative Meeting. The two-day meeting reviewed progress on ending Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), which have been identified as a major cause of low trade volumes within the bloc.
The EAC Committee on Trade Remedies is the body responsible for handling trade disputes and ensuring fair trade within the region. It investigates unfair trade practices, recommends corrective measures, and enforces EAC trade rules. However, the committee is currently limited to representatives from the three founding states, while the proposed amendments would allow all eight member states to appoint three representatives each.
According to Monica Mihigo, Principal Internal Trade Officer at the EAC Secretariat, the Heads of State have already signed the amendments, but only Burundi has completed the ratification process. The other seven countries are yet to approve the changes in their respective parliaments. She explained that without full ratification, the committee cannot be fully established, and traders affected by NTBs cannot be compensated.
Dennis Karera, Vice Chairperson of the EABC, stressed that illegal NTBs, misaligned Rules of Origin, and delays in ratifying the amendments are key reasons why intra-EAC trade remains low. He noted that while the EAC Customs Union Protocol — launched on January 1, 2005 — was meant to eliminate NTBs, some countries continue to introduce new ones.
In 2024, intra-EAC trade grew by 9.35% to $15.2 billion, while the bloc’s total trade with the rest of the world rose by 14.17% to $124.9 billion, up from $109.4 billion in 2023. Exports from EAC states increased by 24.72% to $56 billion, while imports went up by 6.83% to $68.9 billion. However, the share of intra-EAC trade in total trade was only 10.8%, compared to 89.2% for trade with countries outside the bloc.
Adrian Raphael Njau, Acting Executive Director of the EABC, said the situation calls for political will from all member states. “We are considering sanctions against partner states that continue introducing NTBs. The private sector cannot fully thrive when these barriers exist,” Njau stated.
EAC Principal Economist for Investment and Private Sector Promotion, Charles Omusana, described the Customs Union and Common Market as pillars of socio-economic transformation for East Africa. He, however, lamented that NTBs and trade-related charges keep recurring. Omusana revealed that EAC ministers have directed that a compilation of all trade-related laws be completed by October to help resolve disputes.
He also disclosed that the EAC plans to introduce electronic gates at border points to reduce cargo delays. The e-gate system will first be tested in selected countries before being rolled out across the region.
Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Clementine Mukeka, reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening public–private dialogue to find solutions for boosting intra-regional trade. She described the EAC as the most integrated regional economic bloc in Africa but stressed the need for stronger action to achieve full integration.
The upcoming EAC Business and Investment Summit, scheduled for October 2025, is expected to bring together Heads of Government, business leaders, and stakeholders to address key policy issues. PS Mukeka urged the business community to prepare at least three urgent issues for discussion at the ministerial meeting that will be held during the summit.
With the EAC seen as a major driver of regional economic growth, trade experts say swift ratification of the Customs Union amendments will strengthen dispute resolution, promote fair competition, and create a more attractive investment climate for the entire bloc.
